Learning how to use tenses in subordinate clauses can significantly improve your English language skills. Subordinate clauses, also known as dependent clauses, cannot stand alone as a sentence but provide additional information to the main clause. Understanding how tenses work in these clauses is crucial for effective communication. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of how to correctly use tenses in subordinate clauses, supported by examples and explanations.
Understanding Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses are an essential part of complex sentences. They begin with subordinating conjunctions such as “because,” “although,” “if,” “when,” “while,” “since,” and “unless.” These clauses provide additional context to the main clause, offering details about time, reason, condition, contrast, or place. For instance:
– “I will call you when I arrive.”
– “She didn’t go to the party because she was feeling ill.”
In these examples, “when I arrive” and “because she was feeling ill” are subordinate clauses that add meaning to the main clauses.
Tense Consistency in Subordinate Clauses
One of the most important rules when dealing with tenses in subordinate clauses is maintaining tense consistency. This means that the tense used in the subordinate clause should logically match the tense in the main clause. Let’s explore this concept further by looking at different tenses and how they interact in subordinate clauses.
Present Tense in Subordinate Clauses
When the main clause is in the present tense, the subordinate clause can be in the present or future tense, depending on the context.
– Present Tense in Both Clauses:
– “She says that she likes chocolate.”
– “He believes that the Earth is round.”
In these examples, both the main and subordinate clauses are in the present tense, showing a general or habitual action.
– Present Tense in Main Clause and Future Tense in Subordinate Clause:
– “She says that she will come tomorrow.”
– “He believes that it will rain later.”
Here, the main clause is in the present tense, but the subordinate clause is in the future tense, indicating an action that is expected to happen.
Past Tense in Subordinate Clauses
When the main clause is in the past tense, the subordinate clause should also generally be in the past tense to maintain consistency.
– Past Tense in Both Clauses:
– “She said that she liked chocolate.”
– “He believed that the Earth was round.”
In these examples, both the main and subordinate clauses are in the past tense, indicating that the actions or beliefs were true at some point in the past.
– Past Tense in Main Clause and Future in the Past in Subordinate Clause:
– “She said that she would come tomorrow.”
– “He believed that it would rain later.”
Here, the main clause is in the past tense, but the subordinate clause uses “would,” which is the past form of “will,” to indicate a future action from the perspective of the past.
Present Perfect and Past Perfect in Subordinate Clauses
The present perfect and past perfect tenses can also be used in subordinate clauses to indicate actions that have been completed at some point before the present or past.
– Present Perfect in Subordinate Clause:
– “She says that she has finished her homework.”
– “He believes that they have left already.”
In these sentences, the present perfect tense in the subordinate clause indicates that the action was completed at some unspecified time before now.
– Past Perfect in Subordinate Clause:
– “She said that she had finished her homework.”
– “He believed that they had left already.”
Here, the past perfect tense in the subordinate clause indicates that the action was completed before some point in the past.
Special Cases in Tense Usage
While the rules above cover most situations, there are some special cases where the tense in subordinate clauses might differ from the general pattern.
Subordinate Clauses with “If” and “When”
When using “if” and “when” in subordinate clauses, the tense can vary depending on whether the sentence expresses a general truth, a future condition, or a hypothetical situation.
– General Truth:
– “If you heat water, it boils.”
– “When it rains, the ground gets wet.”
In these sentences, both the main and subordinate clauses are in the present tense to indicate a general truth.
– Future Condition:
– “If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.”
– “When she arrives, we will start the meeting.”
Here, the subordinate clause is in the present tense, but the main clause is in the future tense, indicating a condition or event that is expected to happen.
– Hypothetical Situation:
– “If I were rich, I would travel the world.”
– “If he had known, he would have come.”
In these sentences, the subordinate clause uses the past or past perfect tense to express a hypothetical situation, while the main clause uses “would” or “would have” to indicate the hypothetical result.
Subordinate Clauses with “Since”
When using “since” in a subordinate clause, the tense often depends on whether the sentence indicates a point in time or a duration.
– Point in Time:
– “I have been working here since I graduated.”
– “She has lived in that house since she was a child.”
In these examples, the present perfect tense is used in the main clause to indicate an action that started in the past and continues to the present, while the past tense in the subordinate clause indicates the point in time when the action began.
– Duration:
– “It has been raining since morning.”
– “They have been friends since childhood.”
Here, “since” is used to indicate a duration, and the present perfect tense is used to show an action that started in the past and continues up to the present.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Understanding tenses in subordinate clauses can be challenging, and learners often make mistakes. Here are some common errors and tips on how to avoid them:
Mixing Tenses Incorrectly
One of the most frequent mistakes is mixing tenses incorrectly. For example:
– Incorrect: “She said that she likes chocolate.”
– Correct: “She said that she liked chocolate.”
To avoid this mistake, ensure that the tense in the subordinate clause logically matches the tense in the main clause.
Using the Wrong Tense for Hypothetical Situations
Learners often struggle with hypothetical situations, especially when using “if” clauses.
– Incorrect: “If I was rich, I would travel the world.”
– Correct: “If I were rich, I would travel the world.”
Remember that for hypothetical situations, use the past tense in the “if” clause and “would” in the main clause.
Forgetting to Use the Past Perfect Tense
Another common mistake is forgetting to use the past perfect tense to indicate an action completed before another action in the past.
– Incorrect: “He said that he finished his homework before he went out.”
– Correct: “He said that he had finished his homework before he went out.”
To avoid this mistake, use the past perfect tense to indicate the earlier of two past actions.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master tenses in subordinate clauses is through practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences by choosing the correct tense for the subordinate clause.
1. She says that she _______ (like) chocolate.
2. He believed that they _______ (leave) already.
3. If it _______ (rain) tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
4. I have been working here since I _______ (graduate).
5. She said that she _______ (finish) her homework before she went out.
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the tense mistakes in the following sentences.
1. She said that she likes chocolate.
2. If I was rich, I would travel the world.
3. He said that he finished his homework before he went out.
4. When she will arrive, we will start the meeting.
5. He believes that it would rain later.
Conclusion
Understanding and correctly using tenses in subordinate clauses is crucial for effective communication in English. By maintaining tense consistency and practicing with various sentence structures, you can significantly improve your language skills. Remember to pay attention to special cases and common mistakes, and practice regularly to gain confidence. With time and effort, you will master the use of tenses in subordinate clauses, making your English more precise and fluent.
