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Ruslana Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Sequence of tenses in official language

0Hello!02br
02br
00I have read that in modern English it's possible to use a present tense in a subordinate clause even if a main one is in a past tense. Is it acceptable for colloquail English only? Should I adhere to traditional sequence of tenses in official language? Or the latter admits the mentioned usage too?0-
  

Top answer

0Hi Ruslana,02br 02br 01font 00I have read that in modern English it's possible to use a present tense in a subordinate clause even if a main one is in a past tense. Is it acceptable for colloquail English only? Should I adhere to traditional sequence of tenses in official language?

— Clive

  • 0Hi Ruslana,02br 02br 01font 00I have read that in modern English it's possible to use a present tense in a subordinate clause even if a main one is in a past tense.
  • Is it acceptable for colloquail English only?
  • Should I adhere to traditional sequence of tenses in official language?
  • 02br 02br 00How about 01font 00'As you know, I passed the exam'02font 00?
  • 02br 02br 00Best wishes, Clive0-
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6 Answers
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0Hi Ruslana,02br
02br
01font00I have read that in modern English it's possible to use a present tense in a subordinate clause even if a main one is in a past tense. Is it acceptable for colloquail English only? Should I adhere to traditional sequence of tenses in official language? Or the latter admits the mentioned usage too?02font02br
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0Oh, yes, sorry. I should have provided some examples. 01blockquote
02br
12br
11i10"We 11u10learnt12u10 that he 11u10has been12u10 director of the company for about ten years."12i12br
12blockquote
11blockquote
02br
12br
11i10"I 11u
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1font00Hi again,02font02br
02br
00Oh, yes, sorry. I should have provided some examples. 01blockquote
02br
12br
11i10"We 11u10learnt12u10 that he 11u10has been12u10 director of the company for about ten years."12i11font
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0Oh, it's "formal" indeed. I clean forgot this word.02br
02br
00Clive, I don't mind any your comments!02br
02br
00Honestly, now I am confused why 01i01font00I was sure that you know it!02font02i00sounds odd whereas other such phrases don't. Is there any ways by means of which I can find out whethe
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0Hi again,02br
02br
01i00Honestly, now I am confused why 01font00I was sure that you know it!02font00 sounds odd 02i02br
02br
00I'll try to explain. 'I was sure' in this sentence implies that in fact I was mistaken. In other words, it implies that you didn't know it. And if you didn't know it then
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0Ah, I got it. 02br
02br
00Thanks very much, Clive! 050010id1
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