Prepared by Kate Sampara Eph – 13 (1) Sequence of Tenses Prepared by Kate Sampara Eph – 13 (1)

The aim My research paper is devoted by exploring such phenomenon as’ the sequence of tenses’. It’s a great problem in a Modern English, because if we want to be a good at knowing English well, we shall have to speak English fluently and to be a good speaker. We should know the concept and how to apply it for several important reasons. The aim of our research paper is: to investigate different points of view referring to this problem.

So: Understanding the sequence of tenses will help you do many things: It helps you explain what someone else said (indirect quotations) It helps you with conditional sentences (using the word "if") It helps you make sentences using the word "wish"

Hi! I am a caterpillar and my name is Direct Speech!

I want to fly like other animals…

I am butterfly!! My dreams come true!! Name my Indirect Speech now!  Our friend said he wanted to fly like other animals and now… HE IS WERY HAPPY! 

if the verb in the principal clause is in one of Like our friend has changed from the caterpillar into the beautiful butterfly we change Direct Speech into Indirect according to the Sequence of Tenses. The rule states: if the verb in the principal clause is in one of the past tenses, a past tense must be used in the subordinate clause. The action expressed in the subordinate clause can be simultaneous with the action expressed in the principal clause, prior or posterior to that of the principal clause.

Modal verbs Will Can May Must Could have done Might have done Should have done Need’t have done Would Could Might Must or had to Do not change

Time and place changes Here This These Now Today Yesterday A year ago Last night Tonight there that those then / at that moment that day the day before / the previous day a year before the previous night that night Adverb changes depend on the context. It is not always necessary to make these changes, especially in spoken Indirect Speech.

Spheres where the Sequence of Tenses is applied are: 1. The object clause: My father told me that corn had not got a mouth. [ p. 380] Ms. Audubon said this was to be his day for observing them. [p. 578] If there are several subordinate clauses in sentence the rule is observed in all of them. I thought he would tell her that he intended to go to the village. [p. 222] ( Я думав, що він скаже їй про те, що він збирається поїхати до села). The Sequence of Tenses is not observed if the object clause expresses a general truth or something is represented as habitual, customary or characteristic. Copernicus proved that the earth moves round the sun. The teacher told us that honesty is the best policy. [p. 168] He told me that the Hindus burn their dead.[ p. 356]

4. Expressions such as as if, if only, it is time and wish that are usually followed by past tenses. I wish I was a bit taller. It is time we started working [ p. 125] He talks as if he knew everything In attributive clauses, adverbial clauses of cause and comparison we also use Present or Future. My brother told me about the book you are writing. He was not able to translate the article because he doesn’t know English well enough. He refused to go to the theatre because he will have an exam in a few days. It was not so cold yesterday as it is now [p. 267] He was once stronger than he is now.

I knew that she had been ill for two months. 6. When we say how long something has been happening the sentence can have double meaning. It depends on the context or situation. I knew that she had been ill for two months. Я знав, що вона хворіє вже два місяця. Я знав, що вона хворіла два місяця. Past Indefinite can stay the same if we use: He said that he left Moscow 5 years ago. He knew that Peter was at home yesterday [ p. 365 ] She said she was working when I rang her up. In 1945 2 years ago Yesterday Last week When he came

7. The Past Indefinite after “since” generally remains unchanged. She said , I have been writing since I came. She said she had been writing since she came. So a useful general rule is: we move the reported clauses “one tense back” (present becomes past, past becomes past perfect, will becomes would)

Conclusion Theoretical grammar is quite an important in mastering English language. It forms the foundation of knowledge and helps to use the language with no efforts. Using verbs in correct sequence is often difficult. In order to determine correct verb sequence, you must be able to identify independent and dependent clauses.

Funny exercises  Tom said that it (take) him an hour to get to the station. Mary asked her brother if he (can) tell her the way to the shop. Mother said she (have) a bad headache. Don't bother her. Dorothy asked Margaret if she (be) going to buy a new dress in the nearest future. They told us they (visit) the Tretyakovskaya gallery next Sunday. Jack said that he already (write) the letter. They asked if the work (finish) by tomorrow.

Resources : 1) Thomson A. J., Martinet A. V. A Practical English Grammar. – Fourth Edition, - Oxford University Press, 1999 [p. 243-244] 2) Алєксєєва І. О. Курс теоретичної граматики сучасної англійської мови: навчальний посібник. – Вінниця: Нова Книга, 2007. – [p.99-100] 3) Дроздова Т. Ю., Берестова А. И., Маилова В. Г. English Grammar: Reference and Practice. СПб: ООО Издательство “Химера”, 2000. -[p.45-46] 4) Паращук В. Ю., Грицюк Л. Ф. Практикум з граматики англійської мови: Навчальний посібник для студентів іноземних мов,спец. “англійська мова”. – Вінниця: Нова книга, 2002 5)