5. Grammar: Sequence of Tenses

This follow-up task gives the information about the airport incident in two different ways: the direct and indirect speech. This time, the direct speech is completed, but the indirect speech is gapped. Listen to Recording 21 again (alternatively, you can read the transcript on p. 122 in your coursebook). As you listen, complete all the gaps.

 

When doing the previous exercise, you may have noticed that there is a shift in verb tenses used in the sentences. Unlike the direct-speech sentences, the verb tenses in the indirect-speech sentences are shifted one time level back. This is called the sequence of tenses. However, this change in the object subordinate clause will only happen if the verb in the main clause is in the Past Tense or the Past Perfect Tense. Look at this overview:

 

Direct Speech

Indirect Speech (sometimes called: reported speech)

“I am a policeman.”

He told me (that) he was a policeman.

Present Simple → Past Simple

“I´m not carrying any metal.”

He informed her (that) he wasn´t carrying any metal.

Present Progressive → Past Progressive

“You can go.”

He told her (that) she could go.

 

“I have searched them.”

She reported (that) she had searched them.

Present Perfect → Past Perfect

“I was an inspector.”

He explained (that) he had been an inspector.

Past Simple → Past Perfect

“I will help you.”

He assured me (that) he would help me.

will → would

 

Besides full sentences, instructions can also be reported. Then, they have a form of a purpose clause:

Instruction

Reported instruction

 

Open your bag.

He told him to open his bag.

Řekl mu, aby otevřel…

Don´t pass through.

She instructed him not to pass through.

Dala mu pokyn, aby neprocházel…

 

If you want to learn more about reported speech and the sequence of tenses, read this grammar overview. Now it is time to practise this grammar point. Practise it first in a general context here and here. Then complete sentences in a technical context here.