The time of the principal action or state of being described in a sentence is established by the tense of the verb in the main clause. Since surbodinate clauses depend on the main clause, the verb tenses in | Agreement Tense agreement (continue) The time of the principal action or state of being described in a sentence is established by the tense of the verb in the main clause. Since surbodinate clauses depend on the main clause, the verb tenses in surbodinate clauses must agree logically. Sequence of Verb Tenses Tense in Independent Clause Purpose of Dependent Clause/ Tense in Dependent Clause Example(s) Simple Present To show same-time action, use the present tense I am eager to go to the concert because I love the Wallflowers. To show earlier action, use past tense I know that I made the right choice. To show a period of time extending from some point in the past to the present, use the present perfect tense. They believe that they have elected the right candidate. To show action to come, use the future tense. The President says that he will veto the bill. Simple Past To show another completed past action, use the past tense. I wanted to go home because I missed my parents. To show an earlier action, use the past perfect tense. She knew she had made the right choice. To state a general truth, use the present tense. The Deists believed that the universe is like a giant clock. Present Perfect or Past Perfect For any purpose, use the past tense. She has grown a foot since she turned nine. The crowd had turned nasty before the sheriff returned. Future To show action happening at the same time, use the present tense. I will be so happy if they fix my car today. To show an earlier action, use the past tense. You will surely pass this exam if you studied hard. To show future action earlier than the action of the independent clause, use the present perfect tense. The college will probably close its doors next summer if enrollments have not increased. Future Perfect For any purpose, use the present tense or present perfect tense. Most students will have taken sixty credits by the time they graduate. Most students will have taken sixty credits by the time they have graduated.
