Hello readers! Welcome. In this article, let us learn some important Tenses Rules that are widely used in English communication. To understand these rules, knowing all Tenses in English Grammar is a prerequisite.
Read this article to learn the basics of Tenses
Tenses Rules in English
1. The sequence of Tenses:
The past Tense Verb in the Main Clause is generally followed by the verb of the same tense in the Subordinate Clause.
Example: Consider the following sentence
- He told me that he is very busy
The above sentence is incorrect because the verb in the main clause (he told me) is in Past Tense. So, the verb in the subordinate clause (is) should also be in Past Tense. Hence the correct sentence is “He told me that he was very busy”
Similarly, the sentence “She promised me that she will help me” is incorrect and the correct sentence is “She promised me that she would help me”
Note: In the case of Universal Truths and Scientific Facts this rule is not applicable.
Example: The teacher said that the earth is round – the sentence is correct though it doesn’t follow the above rule because the Subordinate clause pertains to a Scientific fact – the Earth is Round.
2. Simple Present & Simple Future Combination:
This is another important pointer in tenses rules in English Grammar. The rule says,
When two actions are going to happen in the future one after another, the first Action should be in Simple Present and the Second Action should be in Simple Future
Example:
- I will call you as soon as I will reach New York
The above sentence is incorrect because, since the two actions in the sentence are connected the first action should be in Simple Present and the second action should be in Simple Future. Here reaching New York is the first action hence it should be in Simple Present Tense.
So, the correct sentence is, I will call you as soon as I reach New York
Similarly, the sentence “I will inform you when he will come here” is incorrect and the correct sentence is “I will inform you when he comes here”
3. Present Perfect and Simple Past Combination
The next rule in important tenses rules is regarding the combination of Present Perfect and Simple Past.
When we use ‘Since’ as a conjunction to denote time and is preceded by Present Perfect Tense, the followed clause must be in Simple Past Tense
Example:
Look at the following sentence
- I have not played football since I have let my college in 1996.
The above sentence is incorrect according to the above-quoted rule. In the sentence, there is Present Perfect Tense along with the conjunction Since to indicate time. Hence it should be followed by Simple Past and the correct sentence is, “I have not played football since I left my college in 1996″
Similarly, the sentence “I have not seen him since he has gone to the US three years ago” is incorrect and the correct sentence is “I have not seen him since he went to the US three years ago”
4. WISH (Unreal or Imaginary)
This is one of the most important tenses rules.
When we express un-real or Imaginary wishes using the Usage “I wish….” then the un-real or Imaginary wish should be in the past form (V2) of the verb.
Example:
- I wish I have a car
The above sentence is incorrect. The speaker is trying to convey that he doesn’t have a car using the usage “I wish…”. Hence, according to the rule, the verb in the un-real wish should be in Past form. So, the correct sentence is “I wish I had a car”
Similarly, the sentence “I wish I know you before” is incorrect and the correct sentence is “I wish I knew you before”
5.As if / As though
Another important rule among the tenses rules is the usage with As if / As though to express unreal or imaginary things.
When we use ‘As if’ / ‘As though’ (both convey the same meaning) in sentences to express un-real or imaginary things, Simple Present Tense should be accompanied with Simple Past Tense and Simple Past Tense should be accompanied with Past Perfect Tense in the clause expressing the un-real or imaginary thing.
Example:
- He speaks as if the Knows everything
the above sentence is incorrect because since an unreal thing is expressed in the sentence using as if, and Simple Present Tense is present, the clause with the un-real or imaginary thing must be in Simple Past Tense. Hence, the correct sentence is “He speaks as if he knew everything”
- He spoke as if he knew everything
the above sentence is incorrect because since an unreal thing is expressed in the sentence using as if, and Simple Past Tense is present, the clause with the un-real or imaginary thing must be in the Past Perfect Tense. Hence, the correct sentence is “He spoke as if he had known everything”
6. It’s time / It’s high time
When you express delay in the happening of an action using ‘it’s time’ and ‘it’s high time’, the verb should always be in Past form (V2)
Example:
- It’s time the movie begin
The above sentence is incorrect as it is against the above-quoted rule that while expressing delays using it’s time the verb should be in Past form (V2). Hence, the correct sentence is “It’s time the movie began”
Similarly, the sentence, “It’s high I have gone home” is incorrect and the correct sentence is “It’s high time I went home”
7. Past Unfulfilled Condition
People widely use this usage in daily communication to express unfulfilled condition.
When we express a Past unfulfilled condition using the words should or must (express conditions), we should express the unfulfilled condition with ‘have+V3’ verb phrase
Example:
- You should have driven carefully (it means that the person did not drive carefully)
- You must have attended the meeting (it means that the person did not attend the meeting)
- He should not have resigned the job (it means that he resigned the job and there is a regret)
This concludes some important Tenses rules. Ask your doubts in the comments section below, if you have any.
