sequence of tenses

noun

1. grammar the sequence according to which the tense of a subordinate verb in a sentence is determined by the tense of the principal verb, as in I believe he is lying, I believed he was lying, etc

Example Sentences

We now see that the past tense has a third meaning in English: a backshifted event in a sequence of tenses.

From Literature

A writer also has to harmonize the tenses according to a scheme called sequence of tenses, tense agreement, or backshift.

From Literature

Sequence of tenses would also seem to call for “had,” not “have.”

From New York Times

Also, the proper sequence of tenses requires “said the controversy had at least reminded.”

From New York Times

Also, sequence of tenses requires “did not change” after the past-tense “said.”

From New York Times