Structure – Introduction to Sequence of Tenses

Sequence of tenses is the principle which requires all the verbs in a sentence or a number of sentences to be in the same tense all through.

Example:

• Today is my happiest day. At last, I have completed my project. I am now free to do anything I like – Present tense
• The match had already begun when we got there, so we decided to wait and watch the second half which started an hour after – Past tense

It is however sometimes possible to have a mixture of past and present tenses in a sentence especially if a fact or generally acceptable notion is referred to here.

Example:   The teacher taught us that the earth goes round the sun.

                  My father told me that character is strength.

EVALUATION

Choose either of the options in bracket in each of the following sentences bearing in mind the rules of sequences of tenses.

1. The police (has/have) arrived and (is/are) checking all vehicles on the road.
2. Segun and Adeleke ate some food but (they were not feeling/did not feel/ are not feeling) satisfied.
3. Segun lived in Osogbo, so he (is/was) seen in a taxi, (waving/waved) to them.

READING ASSIGNMENT

(Countdown in English, pages 232 – 235)