Sequence of Verb Tenses Examples

The rules of the sequence of tenses are mainly observed in subordinate object clauses. 

When NOT to Use Sequence of Tenses

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed in the following two cases: 

1) when the verb of the object clause expresses a universal truth or facts that hold true always (see dialogues 1, 2, 3);

Cases When the Rules of the Sequence of Tenses Are Optional

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not compulsory (may be observed or not) when reference is made to:

Past Perfect Continuous in Dialogues

Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Past Perfect Continuous in Dialogues

Grammar explanation I:
Past Perfect Continuous (also known as the Past Perfect Progressive Tense) is used to describe an action which began before a given past moment and continued into it or up to it. In this meaning it is parallel to Past Perfect for stative verbs and may be used with certain time indications: either a whole period of the duration of the action is indicated or its starting point ("for + time" or "before + moment").

Present Perfect Continuous Using

Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Present Perfect Continuous Using

Learn how to use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense in English. Read on for detailed descriptions and examples from the popular novels that help make grammar rules clear.

Future Continuous Tense: Dialogues

Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Future Continuous Tense: Dialogues 

Read and understand the following explanations on the usage of the Future Continuous Tense (Future Progressive) and then examine illustrative examples from the works of literature.

Past Continuous Tense: Dialogues

Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Past Continuous Tense: Dialogues

Read and understand the following explanations on usage of the Past Continuous Tense (Past Progressive) and then examine illustrative examples from the works of literature.

The Past Continuous Using: Explanations

I. The Past Continuous expresses an action which was going on at a given moment in the past. As a rule, there is no indication on a given past moment, it is implied in the situation. Sometimes it is indicated by stating the precise time or with the help of another action in the Past Indefinite. See dialogues 1, 2.

II. The Past Continuous expresses an action which was going on at a given period of time in the past. The indication of the past period of time is understood from the context or given in the sentence. See dialogues 3, 4.

Dialogues Using Present Continuous Tense

Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Dialogues Using Present Continuous Tense

Read and understand the following explanations on usage of the Present Continuous Tense and then examine illustrative examples from the works of literature.

The Present Continuous Using: Explanations 

Generally: The present tense regularly expresses something occurring now, in the present. Where continuing action is emphasized, the present continuous (present progressive) is used: The system is working very well. She is sleeping quietly now. For grammar details, see "The Continuous Forms" page.

 I. The Present Continuous expresses an action which is going on at the moment of speaking (see dialogues 1, 2).

 ►Note 1. Stative verbs denoting physical perceptions, emotions, wish, mental processes, etc are not used in the Present Continuous. The Present Indefinite is used instead (see dialogue 3).

 II. The Present Continuous expresses an action going on at the present period of time (dialogues 4, 5).

 III. The Present Continuous may express an action in progress which is simultaneous with some other action or state denoted by the verb in the Present Indefinite. The action in the Present Indefinite is recurrent action that always taken place against the background of the action in the Present Continuous. The use of the Present Continuous makes such sentence emotionally coloured. (See dialogues 6, 7.)

Future Perfect How to Use

Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → How to Use Past Perfect

Read and understand the following explanations on usage of Future Perfect tense and then examine illustrative examples from Classics.

 1. The Future Perfect expresses an action accomplished before a given future moment. The given future moment is usually expressed by adverbial phrases, clauses of time or understood from the situation (see dialogues 1, 2, 3).

►Note: In adverbial clauses of time introduced by the conjunctions when, before, after, as soon as, till and until the Present Perfect is found to express a future action. It shows that the action of the subordinate clause will be accomplished before the action of the principal clause (which is usually expressed by the Future Indefinite) (dialogues 4, 5).

 2. The Future Perfect is very occasionally used to express an action which begins before a given future moment and continues into it. This use is found with stative verbs (dialogue 6).

When to Use Past Perfect Tense

Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Past Perfect (When to Use)


In this page we examine the Past Perfect Tense in a detail: what it actually means and how it is used. Some illustrative extracts from English literature are given below.

Past Perfect expresses an action accomplished before a given past moment and viewed back from the past moment. It may be a single point action, an action of some duration or a recurrent action. The time of the action in most cases is not indicated. Here are some examples (1, 2).

Example 1:
Vincent Van Gogh is talking with his cousin Kay in Amsterdam.

Kay: What are you thinking about, Cousin? You seem preoccupied.
Vincent: I was thinking that Rembrandt would have liked to paint you.
Kay: Rembrandt only like to paint ugly old women, didn’t he?
Vincent: No. He painted beautiful old women, women who were poor or in some way unhappy, but who through sorrow had gained a soul.
Kay: Forgive me for being stupid. I understand what you mean about Rembrandt. He gets at the real essence of beauty, doesn’t he, when he paints those gnarled old people who have suffering and defeat carved into their faces.

(I. Stone. Lust for Life)

Present Perfect – When to Use

Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Present Perfect (When to Use)

Present Perfect Tense Explanation and Illustrative Examples from Classics

Present Perfect is used to express an accomplished action (both, a single action and an action or state of some duration) which is viewed from the moment of speaking as part of the present situation. Attention is focused on the action itself (but not on the time when it took place, nor in the circumstances – they appear unimportant).

Present Perfect is generally used:

1. when the time of the action is not indicated at all (dialogue 1);

Going To Usage and Illustrative Examples

• Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Going to Usage

Another way of expressing a future action is the construction "to be going to + infinitive". It is mainly found with dynamic verbs; it is characterized by the following additional modal meanings:

a) premeditated intention (see the illustrative example below):

1. Father and son are watching the stars.

Father: I wonder if they’re what we think they are? Stars! Stars like this! People think we know about them. I wonder if we do. I wonder if we can. I wonder if we they are what we think they are.
Son: Let’s find out. I’m going to find out.
Father: Well.
Son: I’m going to find out all about them.
Father: Perhaps you will. A lot of people have tried, you know. Sir Isaac Newton – and Sir Robert Ball – and Sir William Herschell -- …

(G. P. Snow. The Search)

Using Future Indefinite Tense through Dialogues

• Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Using Future Indefinite

This page shows different ways of using the Future Indefinite Tense (or Simple Future) through dialogues from English literature.
The Future Indefinite expresses an action that will take place in the future. It may be a single point action, an action occupying a whole period of time, a succession of actions, recurrent actions in the future or a permanent future action generally characterizing the person or thing denoted by the subject. The Future Indefinite may be associated with adverbs and adverbial expressions of time or time clauses.

Illustrative Examples:

1. Catherine and Frederic are in Switzerland. There was a snow storm the day before.

Catherine: I wish I could ski. It’s rotten not to be able to ski.
Frederic: We’ll get a bobsled and come down the road. That’s no worse for you than riding a car.
Catherine: Won’t it be rough?
Frederic: We can see.
Catherine: I hope it won’t be too rough.
Frederic: After a while we’ll take a walk in the storm.
Catherine: Before lunch, so we’ll have a good appetite.
Frederic: I’m always hungry.
Catherine: So am I.

(E. Hemingway. A Farewell to Arms)

Using Past Indefinite through Dialogues

• Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Using Past Indefinite 

This page shows different ways of using the Past Indefinite (or Simple Past) through dialogues from English literature.

I

The Past Indefinite is used to express a single action completed in the past. It is performed within a period of time which is already over. An indication of the past time is given or implied in the situation. The speaker is mostly interested in the circumstances of the action, not the action itself.

Illustrative Examples:

1. The children in the junior form have great difficulty in writing compositions, so the teacher is trying to teach them how to do it; they are writing together on the blackboard a composite account of the holiday.

The teacher: John, tell me something that you did.
John: Went to the seaside, miss.
The teacher: How?
John: Bus.
The teacher: By yourself?
John: No. Lot of us kids went. Us went with the Mothers’ Union, miss.
The teacher: Right. Now put all that into sentences that I can write on the blackboard. Well, come along. You can start by saying, “During the holidays I went to the seaside.” What shall we put next?
Anne: I went in a bus.
The teacher: Now what?
The teacher: I went with the Mother’s Union.
Another pupil: I went with some others.
Another pupil: I went on a Saturday.
Another pupil: I went with my sister.

(Miss Read. Village School)

Using Present Indefinite Tense through Dialogues

• Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Using Present Indefinite 

This page shows different ways of using the Present Indefinite through dialogues from English literature.

The Present Indefinite mainly expresses permanent or recurrent actions in the present.

I

a) We find permanent actions or states with durative verbs. They generally indicate continuous uninterrupted or repeated processes representing permanent features and relationships. They give a general characteristic to the person or thing denoted by the subject. Time indications are not obligatory in this case.

Illustrative Examples:

1. Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher stay at school after classes and talk about their likes and dislikes.

Tom: Do you love rats?
Becky: No, I hate them!
Tom: Well, I do, too — live ones. But I mean dead ones, to swing round your head with a string.
Becky: No, I don't care for rats much, anyway. What I like is chewing-gum!..
Tom: Do you? I've got some. I'll let you chew it awhile, but you must give it back to me.

(M. Twain. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer)