Page 50 - English Grammar - 8

Rule 2

If the verb in the principal clause is in the present or future tense, the subordinating clause
may have a verb in present, past or future tense. For example:

She waits to see if we can find her.
O
She waits to see if we had found her.
O
She waits to see if we will find her.
O
Other Rules

There are some more rules to be followed in the sequence of tenses.

When the subordinate clause is introduced by the conjunction than, the subordinate clause
may have a verb in present, past or future tense, even if the verb in principal clause is in the

past tense. For example:

My aunt loved me more than she loves her own children.
O
My aunt loved me more than she loved her own children.
O
My aunt loved me more than she will love her own children.
O
If the verb in a principal clause is in the future tense, we do not use future tense verb in a
subordinating clause that begins with when, until, before, after, etc. For example:

I will call you when lunch will be ready. (incorrect)
O
I will call you when lunch is ready. (correct)
O
If the subordinate clause begins with the conjunction that, we use may in the subordinate
clause when the verb in the principal clause is in the present tense and might when the verb

in the principal clause is in the past tense. For example:
I think that I may pass.
O
I thought that I might pass.
O

Practice Time

Adjectives A. Correct the underlined verbs in the following sentences and write in the adjoining blank

space.

_______________
1. He hated fruits so he eats only biscuits.
_______________
2. She called to say that she thinks we could go now.

_______________
3. I realised that he is lying. _______________
4. He saw that the clock will be stopped.
5. He replied that he will come. _______________
6. I never thought that we can meet him. _______________
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