SEQUENCE OF TENSES
This is another area where error occurs while writing sentences with one clause connected to the other. In examination a candidate is asked to locate error in a sentence where sequence of tenses is not in order.
Sequence of Tenses Is the principle in accordance with which the tense of the verb in a subordinate
clause follows the tense of the verb
in the Principal clause.
1. When verb in Principal clause is in Present
or Future tense, the verb in the dependent
clause may be in any tense (according to
sense).
1. He says that he likes music. Or He will say that he likes music.2. He says that he liked music. Or He will say that he liked music.3. He says that he will work hard. Or He will say that he will work hard.
2. When the verb in the Principal
clause is in the Past Tense, the
verb in the Dependent clause must also
be in one or other of the four forms of
the past Tense.
1. He said that he was late.
2. You said that you would help him.
3. He worked hard so that he might pass.
4. He said that you
were working hard.
EXCEPTIONS :
3. If the Dependent
clause states a universal truth or a habitual truth, a Past
Tense in the Principal clause is
followed by Present Tense in the Dependent clause.
1. He said that the
sun rises in the east.
2. You said that you are a vegetarian.
4. A Past Tense in the Principal Clause is followed by any
tense in the Adverbial clause beginning with ‘than’ as :
1. He liked you more than I do(like you).
2. He liked you more than I did ( like you).
3. He liked you more than I shall (like you).
4. I valued your friendship more than( I value) his.
5. I then saw him oftener than I see him now.
5. A Past tense in
the Principal Clause may be followed by
any tense in the adjectival clause as:
1. I visited the place where he lives.
2. I visited the place where he lived.
3. I visited the place where he will live
6. Some other Exceptions :
1. He works hard lest he should fail. (Purpose)
2. He talks as if he
were mad. (Manner)
3. I eat that I may
live. (Purpose)
4. I shall nurse him
that he may live. (Purpose)
Exercise to for Practice.
ONE
Insert the correct tense of the verb (given in bracket)
in the following blanks.
1. I told him that I.................. (be) late for school.
2. He walked fast so that he....................(may) catch the train.
3. She told her child
that two and two.............( make) four.
4. Little did I know that
he................. (be) an early bird.
5. Take medicine lest you................. (suffer) from fever.
6. We shall not visit the zoo if .............it (rain).
7. He worked harder
than you................. (do).
8. I believe that all ..........(be) well that............. (end) well.
9. I fear that all................ (fail) in the examination.
10. I shall ask him whether
he.................. (steal) the book.
ANSWERS
1.was 2.might 3.make 4.is 5.should suffer 6.rains 7.did (or do) 8.is,ends 9.will fail 10.stole
Exercise for Practice.
TWO
Insert the correct tense of the verb (given in
bracket) in the following blanks.
1. He remained silent
when he……….( hear) that.
2. He feels sad
whenever he………..( think) of his friends.
3. I never
understood why he……….( act) so.
4. We find flowers
wherever we……..( wander).
5. He did not tell us
whence he……….( come).
6. Let me ask you how
you………….( do) this.
7. He wished to know
whether I………..(be) ready to start.
8. Ten o’ clock is
the hour when we must………( start).
9. Ten o’ clock was the hour at which we ……..( start).
10 Let me ask you how
you………….(be) today.
ANSWERS
1.heard 2. thinks 3.acted 4.wander 5.had come 6.did 7.was 8. start 9.started 10.are.
Exercise for Practice
THREE
Insert the correct tense of the verb (given in bracket) in the following blanks.
1. He displayed at his shop what he .......... (think) necessary.
2. She will perform in the way she ....... (like) fit.
3. The old woman stored all that she ......... (get).
4. The little girl will cram all that she .......... (read).
5. Students try to learn what their teacher ......... (teach).
6. It was dawn when the travellers ......... ( start) for their journey.
7. There were stones scattered all around wherever we........(go).
8. She will make an excuse that she ......... (forget) to bring her book.
9. The old man enquired from the boy where he ........ (come) from.
10. The chairman raised a question how the expenditure ....... (be) to be met with.
ANSWERS :
1. thought 2. likes 3. got 4. reads 5. teaches 6. started 7. went 8. forgot 9. came 10. was.
No comments:
Post a Comment