Sequence of Tenses

The rules governing verb tenses are dictated by logic; an action in the future cannot happen before an action in the past. In writing, it’s a matter of looking at your clauses and sentences, and determining when each action is happening.

Sequence of tenses: past tense in independent clause

When the independent clause is in the past tense, the dependent clause may be written in the past or possibly the present (see “exceptions”), but not the future.



Incorrect: The cat was bathing because his feet are dirty.

Because the tense of the independent clause is in the past (i.e. was bathing), the present tense verb in the dependent clause is incorrect. “Are” should be changed to “were”.



Incorrect: I thought I will go to the museum this afternoon.

Because the tense of the independent clause is in the past (i.e. thought), the future tense verb in the dependent clause is incorrect. “Will go” should be changed to “would go”.



Exceptions:

There are two exceptions to this rule:



1) for cases involving universal knowledge



Incorrect: Even the early doctors knew that the washing of hands prevents infection.



2) when using a modal which has no past tense form



Incorrect: Could you please help me move this bookshelf?

Sequence of tenses: future tense in independent clause

When the independent clause is in the future tense, the dependent clause may be written in the present or present perfect, but not the future or the past.



Incorrect: Athena will continue to learn English when she will get to the States.

The future tense should not be used in a dependent clause. The sentence may be re-written as either of the following:



Athena will continue to learn English when she comes to the States.

or

Athena will continue to learn English when she has come to the States.



Incorrect: We leave for Europe when school finished.

The verb in the independent clause, “leave”, implies the future tense (even though the word, “will”, has been left out). The verb in the dependent clause, “finished” is in the past tense, and should be changed to “is finished”, or “has finished”.

Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense is used to show that one action in a sentence finishes before a second action begins. Words like “before” and “after” are indicators that the past perfect tense may be used; however, there are no strict rules for this situation. You must choose the best verb tense for your sentence.



Correct: After he tied his shoes, he left the house.

Correct: After he had tied his shoes, he left the house.



Incorrect: The maitre d’ poured the dessert wine, but not until the cake was cut.

In this past-tense sentence, the cutting of the cake must be finished before the wine can be poured (note the words “but not until”). Because of this, the second clause should use the past perfect tense: …but not until the cake had been cut.



Incorrect: The baby ripped the book before the mother noticed.

The first clause happens before the second one, so the first clause should read: The baby had ripped the book…

Past Tense Narrative

“Narrative style” refers to the way we tell a story without using direct quotes (i.e. there will be no dialogue). When one is using narrative style to tell a story, the whole story must be in the same tense. So, if we use terms such as “I said” or “he thought” – both of which are in the past tense – then the rest of the sentence must also be in the past tense. If preferred, you could use a direct quote.



Incorrect: Mary wondered if the store is still open.

The narrative dependent clause, “Mary wondered”, is in the past tense, so the verb in the independent clause, “is”, should be changed to “was”: Mary wondered if the store was still open.



Correct: Mary wondered, “Is the store still open?”

Because a direct quote is used, this sentence is considered correct.



Incorrect: I believed the economic situation will change in the near future.

The future tense verb, “will change” should be changed to “would change”, so it agrees with “I believed”.

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