SEQUENCE AND CONDITION OF TENSES

     SEQUENCE AND CONDITION OF TENSES

1) If the verb in the principle clause is in present or future TENSE, the in the subordinate clauses may be in any TENSE.

Principle clause.                                           Subordinate clause
He says...................................                      that he will go to buy medicine.
He says...................................                       that he went to buy medicine.
He says...................................                      that he goes to buy medicine.
He will say..............................                      that he was busy in his office.
He will say.............................                        that he everyday goes to school.

2) If the verb in the principle clause is in the past tense, the verb in the subordinate clauses must be in corresponding PAST TENSE.
Principle clause..................................... Subordinate clause
He said.................................                    that he did not see them.
He said.................................                     that  he was busy in his office.
He said.................................                     that had received the letter in time.
He said.................................                     that he would come here the following day.

3) When subordinate clauses denotes COMPARISON or works as an ADJECTIVE, there is no definite rule for TENSES.
Principle clause..........................................Subordinate clause
He loves you..................................               as much as he loves me.
 He loved you..................................             as much as he loves me.        
He will love you..................................         as much as he loved me.       
I know the man...................................         who  told you the story.
I saw the boy................................          who is your best friend.
I have lost the book.......................        which my brother presented me on my birthday.
I will buy the best picture...............       that is available in the market.

         IF CONDITION

1)  IF + PRESENT..........................., FUTURE 
Ex: If you read,                                   you will be successful.
If he comes,                                       I will go out with him. 
If it rains,                                             we will not play today.
If you love all,                                    you will be loved by all.


But when the it qualifies a present action, both the TENSES are in present.
If we don't work,                               we gain nothing. 
If we boil water,                                 it evaporates.
If you can change it,                          change it into a good thing.


IF + PRESENT + IMPERATIVE SENTENCE
If you meet my brother,                      tell him to come fast.
If you are free,                                      help me solve this problem.
If he calls me,                                        tell him I have gone out.
If you want to get full marks,              you must/ should work hard.


2) IF + PAST,.......... ......................... WOULD+ VERB 1
 If he came,                                       I would give him this.
If she was not ill,                              she would be here with me.
If my brother worked hard,           he would also pass with good marks.        
If I learnt this earlier,                      I would let you know everything. ( But I have not learnt it)


3) IF + PAST PARTICIPLE,......................... WOULD + HAVE VERB 3
If he had come,                                            he would have seen the movie. (But he did not see, because he did not come)
If you had been here,                                  you would have enjoyed very much.
If they had not gone out,                            they would not have met with the accident. 
If I had seen him,                                          I could have helped him.
Had I the wings of a dove,                           I would have flown in the sky.
MORE:  If we had been there, we would have been doing well.
              If he had been working, he would have made enough money.
          
     IMAGINARY CONDITION

     If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky.
    If they were with us, they would save us from this trouble.
    If he were offered this job, he would not deny it.
   If it were a Sunday today, I would go for a long drive.
(IN THIS CONDITIONAL 'WERE' IS USED AFTER ANY SUBJECT, SINGULAR OR PLURAL)

IF + PRESENT, ......... + CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, SHOULD, MUST to show possibility, ability, or permission, command, advice.
If your work is done, you can/ may leave. 
If  you make a noise, you will be punished.
If he wants to play, let him. 
If she wants to be a doctor, she should not waste a single minute.


IF + WOULD LIKE/ CARE. 
If you would like to come again, you are welcome.
If he would like to play with me, I have no problem. 
If they would care to visit our home, tell them to come. 


Exercise: 1. If I (be) you, I (not do ) it.
2)If he (not read ) he would miss a carrier.
3) IF you (go) on a diet, you would lose weight.
4) If I had been you, I (not agree) to the proposal.
5) If he (admit )his guilt, I (not punish) him.