If the tense used with the principal clause is in the present or future tense, the tense of the subordinate clause can be in any tense based on what needs to be conveyed.Įxample : She is saying that she is alright. In this case, we can use any tense with the subordinate clause irrespective of the tense used with the principal clause. When the principal clause in the past tense, the subordinate clause can be in the present tense if it is citing a universal truth. Example: The children were taught that honesty is the best policy.Īnother exception to this rule is when the word ‘than’ is used in the sentence to introduce the subordinate clause. However, there is an exception to this rule. Example: I found out that she was out of town. However, there are exceptions to this rule which we will see as we go by.Ī past tense in the principal clause is always followed by a past tense in the subordinate clause. One basic rule we must remember at the time of using tenses with principle and subordinate clauses are that the subordinate clause always follows the tense in the principal clause. So, there are in total 12 tenses that are regularly used in English Grammar. There are three types of tenses based on the time:Įach of these has 4 aspects which indicate the continuation of the tenses. Tenses are verbs that describe when an event, action or condition has occurred.
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