Handout 10

Language Practice
Winter semester
THE SEQUENCE OF TENSES

 General rule: The tense of a verb in the subordinate clause changes in accordance with the tense of the verb
in the main clause.
 The sequence of tenses in English generally applies to three types of subordinate clauses: direct object
clauses, adverbial clauses of time and conditional clauses.

I. DIRECT OBJECT CLAUSES

However, there are some exceptions to the rules of sequence of tenses in direct object clauses:
a) The verbs to ask, to demand, to insist, to order, to recommend, to require, to urge, etc. in the main clause are
followed by the …………… Subjunctive (in British English) and by the ………… Subjunctive (in American
English):
She demands/requires/insists that you should arrive in time. (British English)
She demands/requires/insists/that you arrive in time. (American English)
  The verb to suggest, which is usually followed by a Subjunctive, may also be followed, in colloquial English,
by the …………………:
I suggest that she rings him up later.
b) Expressing general (universal) truths or lasting (irreversible) truths.

 General truths are considered those statements that are either generally accepted or can be scientifically
proved:
The pupil said that five and five ……… ten.
It was proved that water ……… at 1000 C.

 Lasting (irreversible truths) are statements whose validity exceeds the moment of speaking:
I knew that she is a widow. (her condition of being a widow was irreversible at that moment)

NB: The Past Tense forms of the verbs to know, to believe, to realize may be followed by Present Tense since, in
themselves, they imply the veridicity of the direct Object:
You realized that the boy is right.

II. Time Clauses

Remember!!!! A basic rule is that ……………………………………………... Instead, the following tenses are used:

 When in the main/regent clause there is a Past Tense or a Future-in-the-Past, in the time clause there will be
used:

(i) …………………….. (for simultaneous actions):

Mary visited us whenever she was free.

I promised mother I would buy that book when I saw it.

(ii) ……………………….. (for anterior/prior actions)

The children went to bed after they had done their lessons.
We understood that they would come home after they had finished their work.
III. CONDITIONALS
 Remember that there are no verb forms specially inflected for expressing conditions in English. Hence,
either different tenses of the Indicative Mood or some auxiliary or modal verbs (will, should, would, could,
might) are employed

TYPE I (open/probable condition)

 Such sentences express a condition that may or may not be fulfilled. So, Mary may find the book or she may
not; the weather may be fine or it may not.

EXERCISE: Use the verbs in brackets in the correct form:

1. She will catch the train if she ………. (to hurry). 2. We ………. (to go) for a walk if the weather is fine. 3. If
you………. (to read) this book, you will like it. 4. The children will eat all the cakes if they………. (to find) them. 5. If
William ………. (to work) hard, he will pass the exam. 6. If you take this medicine, you ………. (to feel) much better.
7. Unless your brother is more careful, he ………. (to have) an accident. 8. What will happen to him if his parachute
………. (not to open)? 9. They………. (to be) very surprised if they see us here. 10. If we ………. (to meet) him, we'll
tell him the news.

TYPE II (rejected/improbable/hypothetical/unreal condition)

 Past Tense in the conditional clause is not a real Past Tense, but a Subjunctive, indicating probability or
unreality, namely something contrary to present fact. So, at this moment, "Mary hasn't found the book yet"
and "the weather isn't fine yet".

EXERCISE: Use the verbs in brackets in the correct form:

l. I would finish my work much earlier if you ………. (to help) me. 2. If I ………. (to be) you I would go there at
once. 3. The kids would be disappointed if it ………. (to rain) in the afternoon, too. 4. If you knew the truth, you
………. (not to be) so happy. 5. Mother ………. (to help) you if you asked her. 6. We would understand her much
better if she ………. (to speak) more slowly. 7. She wouldn't accept that job even if the manager ………. (to offer) it
to her. 8. If you won the first prize, you ………. (to get) a lot of money. 9. What ………. (to happen) if you pressed
that button? 10. I'm sure Mary would play the piano much better if she ………. (to practise) every day.
 TYPE III (impossible condition)

 The conditional clause expresses something completely hypothetical and represents what is contrary to past
facts. The Past Perfect indicates "past unreality". (Mary didn’t find the book. The weather wasn't fine.)

EXERCISE: Use the verbs in brackets in the correct form:

1. The man would have died if the doctor ………. (not to arrive) in time. 2. If father had been at home, he ………. (to
answer) the phone. 3. The tourists wouldn't have got lost if they ………. (to take) a map. 4. Your brother would have
won the race if his horse ………. (not to lose) one of its shoes. 5. If you had come to the party, you ………. (to have)
a very good time. 6. Mary wouldn't have married that man if she ………. (not to love) him so much. 7. They ……….
(not to be) angry With her if they had known the truth. 8. If Tom ………. (to be) attentive, he wouldn't have asked that
question. 9. These photographs ………. (to be) better if you had been more careful. 10. If I ………. (to remember) her
address I would have called on her.

The Use of Modal Verbs in Conditional Clauses

Will is never used in a conditional clause as an auxiliary for the future.

However 😊 , it may occur in an "if" clause when it expresses:

(a) volition:
If you will explain this problem to me, I’ll finish my homework on time. (= if you want/are willing to
explain)

 Would can also be used in this case with the same meaning:
If Tom would help me, I would repair my car today. (=if he wanted/were willing to help)

 Won't is usually used in conditional clauses to express refusal:

If William won't lend me his dictionary, I'll borrow it from somebody else. (=if he refuses/does not
want to/is not willing to...)
(b) obstinate insistence:
If you will go there, you will be sorry. (=if you insist on going)

 Would may occur in a conditional sentence, besides the case mentioned above, when it belongs to the
construction would like or would care, which are equivalents to "want" or "wish":
If you would like to come here, then she could learn very interesting things.

 When there is no object after would like, would is usually omitted:

If you like, I shall call on you tomorrow.
  If you will/would generally occur in polite requests:
If you will/would kindly show me the way to the railway station, I'll/l'd be very grateful to you.
If you would/would be so kind as to/would be kind enough to inform about your new address, we
will/would send you the money at once.

 Should + Infinitive may be used in conditional sentences belonging to Type I and Type II to underline the
hypothetical nature of the content, rendering a higher degree of uncertainty.
If she should meet him here (=if she happened to meet him), she will/would understand the truth.

 The same meaning of uncertainty (but only in sentences of Type II) can also be given by were to + Infinitive:
If mother were to find us here she would be very angry.

 Could and might, used in conditional clauses have the meaning of a Present Conditional:
I am sure that your granny would help you if she could. (=would be able to)

Other Possible Variants of Tense Rules Used in Conditional Sentences

1. Two present tenses, for expressing natural laws and habitual reactions:
If you boil water it turns to vapour.
If you greet him, he always smiles at you.
2. Two past tenses:
If she said that, she was right.
3. Past Tense (in the "if" clause) and Present Tense (in the main/regent clause):
If Albert bought that car, I am happy.
4. Past Tense (in the "if" clause) and Future (in the main/regent clause):
If Jane didn't succeed then, she will try to do it again.
5. Present Tense (in the "if" clause) and the Imperative (in the main clause):
If she comes here, tell her to wait for me.
6. Present Perfect (in the "if" clause) and the Imperative (in the main clause):
If you have finished your composition, read it to me.
7. Present Perfect (in the "if" clause) and Present Tense (in the main clause):
If Maggie hasn't finished her homework, why is she in the garden?
8. Present Tense (in the "if" clause) and Future Perfect (in the main clause):
If she wins, she will have studied hard.
9. Should + Infinitive (in the "if" clause) and the Imperative (in the main clause):
If you should meet them, remind them of our appointment.
10. Should + Infinitive (in the "if" clause) and Future (in the main clause):
Will she buy the book if she should find it expensive?
11. Past Tense (in the ‘’if’’ clause) and Past Conditional ( in the main clause):

If she spoke English better, she would have worked as a guide for foreign tourists.
 12. Past Perfect (in the ‘’if’’ clause) and Present Conditional (in the main clause)

If they hadn’t missed the train, they would be here now.

 In the other types of subordinate clauses, there will usually occur those tenses that will be logically
required, with no constraint:
Yesterday I bought a book which is very interesting/ I will read this week/I have been looking for since April.
(attributive clauses)
Jack played tennis that day as he will never be able to play again. (adverbial clause of manner)
Last year Mary spoke English better than her sister does now. (adverbial clause of comparison)
My brother finished his work in the morning because he will go to a party this evening. (adverbial clause of reason)

PRACTICE
I. Turn the verbs in italics into the Past Tense making all the other necessary changes:
1. She can't remember what I told her.
2. Tom believes that you are right.
3. You have said that she knows you.
4. The children hope that Santa Claus will bring them many toys.
5. Jane regrets that she can't give us more details about this accident.
6. I wonder What she is going to tell us this time.
7. Fred thinks that all his friends will come to his birthday party.
8. I don't recall What they have said.
9. We can't anticipate what he will do now.
10. I remember that I saw him somewhere.

II. Select the correct form of the verbs given in brackets:

I. Harris thought he (would buy; will buy) a new house soon. 2. Our friends asked us Why the train (has not arrived;
had not arrived) yet. 3. Fred admits that he still (has; had) little experience in this field now. 4. She had to promise him
that she (will help; would help) them. 5. The engineer claimed that he (agrees; agreed) With the others. 6. John didn't
remember What he (told; had told) me the day before. 7. I didn't know that she (must; had to) leave at 5 0'clock. 8. We
guess father (hasn't heard; hadn't heard) this news yet. 9. Did Jane tell you that she (is going; was going) to move to a
new house? 10. We were sure that they (will come; would come) by the evening train. 11. The pupils already knew
that the teacher (has corrected; had corrected) their papers. 12. I promised her that I (will lend; would lend) her the
book after I (finished; had finished) it. 13. I am sure that Thomas (will come; would come) here when he (feels; will
feel) better. 14. I wish I (know; knew) What the boys (are doing; were doing) there at the moment. 15. When I (leave;
will leave) school next year, I (will learn; will have learnt) here for seven years. 16. When (did you see; have you
seen) him last? 17. This time yesterday you (told; were telling) me how busy you (are; were) and What your plans for
the future (are; were). 18. I explained that she (will be playing/would be playing) the piano at that time.

3. Supply the correct tense (Present; Past Tense; Present Perfect; Past Perfect; Future):

A. 1. Arnold …………(to be) born in a Village and he …………(to spend) his childhood there. He ………. (to move)
to Leeds when he ………. (to be) fifteen years old and he ………. (to live) there since his sister ……. (to get)
married.
2. At present, he ………… (to work) in an Office but he ………… (to use) to work at a bank before.
3. Next year he ………… (to go) to London to Study at the University, but only after he ………… (to finish) writing
the novel he ………… (to work) at now.
4. I ………… (to write) to him a long letter several days ago and ………… (to ask) him how many chapters he
already ………… (to write).
5. Arnold's daughter hopes that her father ………… (to finish) his book by the end of August.
6. I ………… (to see) her yesterday while she ………… (to cross) the street.
7. When I ………… (to talk) to her, she ………… (to tell) me that she ………… (to be) very tired because she
………… (to type) all the morning.

B. I. As soon as she ………… (to see) us, she ………… (to stop) singing.
2. The tailor ………… (to promise) me then that my suit ………… (to be) ready in a week's time.
3. Why didn't you explain to them when you ………… (to be) able to give them the money back?
4. I wondered where he ………… (to study) and how many years before he (to take) his degree.
5. Before paper ………… (to be) invented, people ………… (to write) their thoughts upon various other materials.

4. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb in the correct tense:

l. The Chinese are said to be so clever that they ..... gunpowder long before it ...... known in Europe.
2. Galileo Galilei was persecuted because he ...... that the earth ....... around the sun.
3. As soon as she ........ the letter, she will read it to us, too.
4. I asked the old man Who ...…..on the bench if he ……. hungry.
5. When Christopher Columbus ... America, he thought that the country which …..... discovered ........ India, and he
accordingly …….. it the name of the West Indies.
6. I will not go to bed until father ……. home from the factory.
7. Last year you played tennis much better than your brother ……. now.
8. It's high time you …….. these questions.
9. I don't know precisely whether I …….. on this trip next week.
10. Tom was promised that everything …….. ready in due time.
11. When I ……... young, I …….. fishing every Sunday.
12.1'11 let them know that we ……... a new car soon.
13. Did you know that Mary ……... two sons?
14. Your sister spoke English as if she …….. in England for several years.

5. Translate into English:

1.. Când va înțelege că ii suntem prieteni, va fi cam prea târziu.

2. După ce au vizitat muzeul, turiștii s-au urcat in autocar au plecat Ia hotel.
3. Tocmai i-am spus că l-am văzut ieri pe fostul nostru profesor de istorie.
4. Anul trecut am stat in acest hotel timp de două săptămâni, dar apoi a trebuit să mă mut in altul.
5. Ce expoziții ai vizitat până acum in orașul nostru?
6. Cred că l-am zărit pe John acum câteva minute, pe când încerca să traverseze strada.
7. După ce a închis ferestrele a încuiat ușa, a plecat de acasă in mare grabă.
8. Când am auzit-o cântând, mi-am dat seama că se simte mult mai bine.
9. Nu ti-ai imaginat vreodată că într-o zi vei fi profesor in școala în care, cândva, tu însuți ai fost elev?
10. Ne-a asigurat că ne va ajuta de îndată ce va termina temele.
11. Mama ar prefera ca noi să nu mergem la cinema după amiază.
12. Astăzi dimineață mi-a spus că va veni să ia prânzul cu noi și, uite, e aproape ora patru el nu a sosit încă!
13. Mi-a spus că se simte încă tânără, dar eu cred că e timpul să iasă la pensie.
14. Deși e aproape miezul nopții, ea exersează la pian de mai bine de patru ore.
15. După ce vom planta acești pomi, grădina va arăta ca un adevărat paradis.
16. Nu ti-a spus ce-i place cel mai mult?
17. Nu l-am văzut de când a plecat din orașul nostru, dar știu că a stat in Franța din 1980 până in 1985.

6. Translate into English:

7. Translate into Romanian:

CONDITIONALS EXTRA

8. Use the verbs in brackets in the correct form:

I. If my brother ……... (to go) to Bucharest, he will visit the Village Museum. 2. Tom ……... (to learn) French if only
he had the time. 3. If he……... (to know) What to do, he would have done it. 4. What she ……... (to do) if she had
found out the truth? 5. Granny ……... (not to be able) to read if she lost her spectacles. 6. Mary ……... (to pass) the
examination if she works hard. 7. If I ……... (to be) a pianist, I would play the piano all day long. 8. George would take
that job if he ……... (to be offered) it. 9. I hoped they would understand her if she ……... (to explain) the situation to
them. 10. You wouldn't have been so tired if you………... (not to go) to that party. 11. If anyone tried to open this
window at night, my dog ……... (to hear) him? 13. If he ……... (to understand) the rules, he wouldn't have made so
many mistakes. 14. I wouldn't like to be in his shoes if such a thing ……... (to happen). 15. If my brother ……... (to
have) a university degree, he wouldn't have to work as a mechanic now. 16. What will happen if his parachute ……...
(not to open)? 17. Had I met that girl before, I certainly ……... (to marry) her. 18. I would be grateful to her if she
……... (not to ask) me anything.
9. Translate the following sentences into Romanian:

l. Had I known the truth, I wouldn't have asked her that question.
2. I will come with you tomorrow if I am free.
3. If Jane had worked harder, she could have finished her work by now.
4. Should my friend see you here, she would be delighted.
5. If this lady will wait a moment, I will ask the manager to speak to her.
6. If it were not for this noise, we could have a good rest.
7. I gave him her phone number in case he couldn't find her address.
8. What would your sister do if you didn't wait for her at the railway station?
9. If she insists to see me, tell her that I am at my office.
10. Suppose it rains all day long!
11. Even if they promised him a large sum of money, he wouldn't betray his country.

10. Translate into English:

l. Nu am putea trăi dacă nu ar fi oxigenul din aer.

2. Dacă va fi frumos mâine, vom merge la plimbare in parc.
3. Nu m-aș fi înscris la examen dacă aș fi știut cât e de greu.
4. Fără grădini și parcuri, orașul nostru ar arăta dezolant.
5. Nu știu ce am fi făcut dacă nu ar fi fost acest om curajos să ne ajute.
6. Supa va avea gust mai bun dacă vei adăuga puțină sare.
7. Dacă n-ar fi cărțile, am fi cu toții ignoranți.
8. William ar fi venit cu noi in excursie dacă n-ar fi fost atât de ocupat.