English Learning

Lesson 11: Sequence of Tenses

October 25, 2025

🧠 GRAMMAR – SEQUENCE OF TENSES

(LaikĹł derinimo taisyklÄ—s)

🔹 1. Present or Future in the Main Clause

When the verb in the main clause is in the Present or Future,
the verb in the subordinate clause may be in any tense, according to meaning.

Examples:

I know that Vanessa is at work now.
He knows that Pete was busy yesterday.
They say the train will leave at seven.
Mr. Ron Netway will say he had lived in Japan.

âś… No backshift needed when the main verb is Present or Future.

🔹 2. Past in the Main Clause

When the main clause verb is in the Past,
the verb in the subordinate clause should also shift one step back (Past or Past Perfect).

Examples:

Nelly knew that my father was a teacher.
I thought Ellen was singing an English song.
Vanessa said she had written the poem herself.

✅ This is called backshifting: is → was, has done → had done.

🔹 3. Future-in-the-Past (would + V1)

If the main clause verb is Past, and the subordinate action refers to the future,
use would + infinitive.

Examples:

Ted felt his wife would go to the lecture.
We didn’t know you would be late.

âś… Would replaces will when reporting a future from the past.

🔹 4. General Truths – No Backshift

When the subordinate clause expresses a general truth,
the tense does not change, even if the main verb is in the past.

Examples:

The teacher told us that there are 26 letters in the English alphabet.
My husband proved he can swim across the river.

âś… Truths remain true; tenses stay the same.

🔹 Summary Table

Rule Main Clause Subordinate Clause Example
1 Present / Future Any tense I know he works hard.
2 Past Past / Past Perfect She said she was tired.
3 Past Future-in-the-Past He knew she would come.
4 Past + General Truth No change He said the sun rises in the east.

âś… In summary:
The sequence of tenses shows the logical time relationship between main and subordinate actions.
⚠️ Avoid automatic backshift when talking about general truths or permanent facts.

Exercises

Exercise 1Choose the correct tense

Choose the correct form.

  1. I knew that she __ very tired.

    • a) is
    • b) was
    • c) will be

  2. He says he __ to the lecture yesterday.

    • a) went
    • b) goes
    • c) was going

  3. We thought it __ rain, but it didn’t.

    • a) would
    • b) will
    • c) has

  4. The teacher told us that the earth __ round.

    • a) is
    • b) was
    • c) had been
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Exercise 2Fill in with the correct form

Complete with the correct tense of the verb in brackets.

  1. She said she __ (like) English.
  2. I knew he __ (be) at home.
  3. They said they __ (finish) the work by evening.
  4. We thought you __ (come) to the meeting.
  5. The teacher told us the sun __ (rise) in the east.
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Exercise 3True or False

Mark True (T) or False (F).

  1. If the main verb is in Present, the subordinate verb can be any tense.
  2. If the main verb is Past, we use Present in the subordinate clause.
  3. “Would” replaces “will” in the Future-in-the-Past.
  4. General truths are backshifted.
  5. “She said she was tired” is correct.
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Exercise 4Match the pairs

Match the examples to the correct rule.

Sentence Rule
I know he works hard. Present / Future main clause
She said she was tired. Past → Past
He knew she would come. Future-in-the-Past
He said the sun rises in the east. General truth
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Exercise 5Rewrite into Reported Speech

Change the sentences into reported speech.

  1. “I am busy,” she said.
  2. “We will go to London tomorrow,” he said.
  3. “I have finished my work,” Mary said.
  4. “They are studying English,” the teacher said.
  5. “The sky is blue,” she said.
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Exercise 6Identify the rule

Write which rule (1–4) applies to each sentence.

  1. She said she had written the poem herself.
  2. I know he will come soon.
  3. We thought you would like the film.
  4. He told us the moon goes around the earth.
  5. I knew she was at home.
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Exercise 7Fill in the missing words

Use said / told / knew / thought / proved and complete the sentences.

  1. I __ she would arrive late.
  2. She __ us that he was ill.
  3. He __ that it was true.
  4. They __ they had never been to London.
  5. The teacher __ that water boils at 100°C.
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Exercise 8Choose the correct verb form

Choose the correct answer.

  1. She told me that she __ the book.

    • a) reads
    • b) read
    • c) had read

  2. He knew they __ there for two years.

    • a) lived
    • b) had lived
    • c) were living

  3. We thought you __ us tomorrow.

    • a) will help
    • b) would help
    • c) helped
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Exercise 9Short answers

Answer briefly.

  1. What does “backshift” mean?
  2. When do we use “would” instead of “will”?
  3. When does the subordinate verb tense stay the same?
  4. What happens when the main verb is in Present?
  5. Why do we not backshift general truths?
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Exercise 10Writing task

Write 5–6 sentences in reported speech.
Include examples of:

  • Past → Past,
  • Past → Past Perfect,
  • Future-in-the-Past,
  • a general truth (no change).
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