The sense of time and tense is also very important. Certain important rules are listed below.
1. A past tense in the principal clause is followed by a past tense in the subordinate clause.
Uses -
He saw that the clock has stopped. (Incorrect)
He saw that the clock had stopped. (Correct)
There are, however, two exceptions to this rule:
(a) A past tense in the principal clause may be followed by a present tense in the subordinate clause, when it expresses a universal truth.
Uses -
The teacher observed that the Earth moved round the sun. (Incorrect)
The teacher observed that the Earth moves round the sun. (Correct)
(b) When the subordinate clause is introduced by ‘than’, even if there is past tense in the principal clause, it may be followed by any tense required by the sense in the subordinate clause.
Uses -
He helped him more than he helped his own children. (Incorrect)
He helped him more than he helps his own children. (Correct)
2. if two actions in a sentence are showing happening in the past, one after the other; the tense of the action happening first should be past perfect and that of the second should be past indefinite.
Uses -
The patient died before the doctor arrived. (Incorrect)
The patient had died before the doctor arrived. (Correct)
3. Two actions in the past, one depending on the other, should have the sequence as follows:
Past perfect + future perfect
Had + past participle + would + have + past participle
Uses -
If you had worked hard, you would have succeeded in the examination.
Or
Had you worked hard, you would have succeeded in the examination.
Uses -
If you would had practiced regularly, you would won the match. (Incorrect)
If you had practiced regularly, you would have won the match. (Correct)
4. If, in a sentence, two actions are indicated and both are to take place in future, the sequence of tense will be as follows: The principal clause in present indefinite; and the subordinate clause in future indefinite.
Uses -
If I go the Delhi, I shall attend the seminar.
‘If I go to Delhi’ is the principal clause and ‘I shall attend the seminar’ is the subordinate clause.
If it will rain, I shall not attend the meeting. (Incorrect)
If it rains, I shall not attend the meeting. (Correct)
5. When an action has taken place in two clauses of a sentence, it is used in both the clauses according to the requirement.
Uses -
My brother has and is still doing excellent work for his organisation. (Incorrect)
M y brother has done and is still doing excellent work for his Organisation. (Correct)
6. When there is a sense of continuity, that is, when a thing has taken place in the past and still continue in the present, the prefect continues tense form of t he verb should be used.
Uses -
Indian is independent for the last forty – six years. (Incorrect)
Indian has been independent for the last forty – six years. (Correct)
The use of article is also an important matter and one must be careful about it.
7. before a consonant ‘a’ is used.
Uses -
A boy, a horse, a woman.
But ‘a’ is also used before words like university, useful, unicorn, union, European, and one, etc., because these words began with a consonant sound.
Uses -
Here is an university. (Incorrect)
Here is a university. (Correct)
An European lives in my area. (Incorrect)
A European lives in my area. (Correct)
It is a one - rupees note. (Incorrect)
It is a one – rupee note. (Correct)
8. Similarly, words like ‘hour’, ‘honest’, ‘heir’, etc, take ‘an’ before them as they begin with a vowel sound.
Uses -
I have been waiting for him for a hour. (Incorrect)
I have been waiting for him for an hour. (Correct)
9. Use of since/for - Students commit mistake in using 'since' or 'for'. Please note, 'for' is used for 'Period of time' and 'since' is used for 'Point of time'. With morning, evening, etc. use since and with 'some time', 'hours', 'months', etc. use 'for'
10. One must not use adverbs of past time like yesterday, last year, last month, ago, short while ago, etc. with present perfect tense.
Uses -
He has completed his book yesterday. (Incorrect)
He completed his book yesterday. (Correct)
I have met her three days ago. (Incorrect)
I met her three days ago. (Correct)
11. Words like with, together with, along with, besides, as well as, including, in addition to, etc. do not affect the number of the verb. If the subject is singular, a singular verb is required; if plural, a plural verb.
Uses -
The television, along with the cabinet, is to be sold.
Mrs Paul, with her son and daughter, is going to the theatre this evening.
Our chief competitor, as well as ourselves, is obliged to increase prices.
The decoration of the room, including the carpets and furniture, is most pleasing
12. If the subject consists of two singular words connected by or, neither ... nor, or either ... or, the subject is singular and requires a singular verb.
Uses -
Neither our Accounts Department nor our Head Office has a record of the transaction.
Sunita or Neetu has the swimming suit.
Either October or November is a good vacation month.
Neither the radio nor the television was in working order.
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