Exercises (Sequence of Tenses)

Explain how the rules of the sequence of tenses work in these clauses. Translate the sentences.

1. She called my mother to say that they had just got a telegram from Boston announcing that Henry's brother had been married in Germany. 2. I knew she was eager to tell me what had happened. 3. He knew that his mother would think he was seriously ill and would probably speak to the teacher. 4. He wanted to return to the house to see how Billy was doing and tell him that he would be going out to California in two or three days. 5. Rudy decided that he would have to tell Bogart that it was impossible for him to appear before the board the next day, but that he would offer to do so any other day.

2. Give your reasons as to why the rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed in the following sentences:

1. He says he is free tomorrow. 2. He spoke with the satisfaction of a competent workman who knows his job from A to Z. 3. He sought pleasure in the simple and natural things that life offers to everyone. 4. Monty told me that he had no permit for the gun, and that in England it is illegal to own a gun without a permit. 5. I knew I should go; but we sat there because it is difficult to go without any particular reason for leaving. 6. Billy folded his arms and leaned back. "I told you I don't like milk".

3. Make the action of the following object clauses simultaneous with those of the principal clauses:

1. I thought you (have) better sense. 2. She could not imagine what he (do) there. 3. I've forgotten what he (look) like. 4. I did not know whether the doctor (mean) what he (say) or whether he (have) a joke at my expense. 5. What surprised me was that Pat (be) so, much at home here. 6. He asked me what work I (do) and whether I (intend) to go to a University. 7. I was surprised you (know) my name. 8. He told his father that now he (make) ten dollars a week less. 9. The last two weeks she had been saying to everyone who phoned her that she (be) unwell and (not / leave) home. 10. When I knew him better he admitted that he (feel) lonely in London. 11. She wanted Wilfred to forbid my walking in the park alone. She said it (be) dangerous.

4. Use the required tense-aspect forms in the following sentences, observing the rules of the sequence of tenses:

1. When I went into the office next morning I already (formulate) my plan. 2. Well, I don't think I ever (see) you before. 3. She ended by saying that she (think) she (make) a mistake. 4. She knew what (go) on in their minds. 5. So I went into the living room, where my aunt already (wait) for me. 6. She telephoned her husband to the office to say that her brother (return) from abroad. 7. An old friend rang up to ask, how Elizabeth (feel), and whether she (can) go with his wife to the concert on Sunday morning. 8. Most of the trees already (put) their leaves and there were buds everywhere. 9. He remembered that he (not see) Lily for three weeks. 10. She hadn't yet figured out what she (be) going (do) and she (hope) to be able to wait a little. 11. It was possible that Jack (hang) around. 12. Everybody thought they (live) in happiness for nearly thirty years. 13. She didn't know why she (invent) suddenly the story.

Translate the sentences from Russian into English.

1. Он мне говорил, что интересуется историей. 2. Он знал, о чем она думает. 3. Он сказал, что вернется очень скоро. 4. Я знал, что он живет в Лондоне. 5. Я знал, что она жила в Сан-Франциско. 6. Она мне не сказала, что говорила с ними. 7. Я думал, что он получает от нее письма. 8. Я был рад, что он получил от нее письмо. 9. Я думал, что они пригласят нас. 10. Я был уверен, что он работает на этом заводе. 11. Я был уверен, что он работает, и поэтому не вошел в комнату. 12. Он сказал мне, что видел их накануне. 13. Я был уверен, что он сидит в саду. 14. Она говорила, что книга ей нравится. 15. Я был уверен, что он живет здесь уже много лет. 16. Я вчера слышал, что они в Эдинбурге. 17. Мы слышали, что они были в Ливерпуле. 18. Я слышал, что они работают уже несколько месяцев. 19. Мы не знали, что он болен. 20. Мы не знали, что он так давно болен. 21. Он не знал, что мы знаем друг друга с детства. 22. Мне сказали, что они вчера вернулись в Москву.

Keys (Sequence of Tenses)

3. 1. had; 2. was doing; 3. looks; 4. meant, said, had; 5. was; 6. was doing, intended; 7. knew; 8. was making; 9. was, didn't leave; 10. felt; 11. was.

4. 1. had formulated; 2. have ever seen; 3. thought, had made; 4. was going; 5. had been waiting; 6. had returned; 7. was feeling / felt, could go; 8. had put; 9. had not seen; 10. was going to do, hoped; 11. was hanging; 12. had been living / had lived; 13. had suddenly invented.

5. 1. told, was interested in; 2. knew, was thinking; 3. said, would return; 4. knew, was living / lived; 5. knew, had lived; 6. didn't tell, had spoken; 7. thought, re­ceived; 8. was glad, had received; 9. thought, would invite; 10. was sure, worked; 11. was sure, was working, didn't enter; 12. told me, had seen; 13. was sure, was sitting; 14. said, liked; 15. was sure, had been living; 16. heard, were; 17. heard, had been; 18. heard, had been working; 19. didn't know, was ill; 20. didn't know, had been ill; 21. didn't know, had known; 22. was told, returned / had returned.

Exercises (Reported Speech)

1. INDIRECT STATEMENTS

1. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech:

1. Jack told his father, "I hope to pass the examination". 2. Henry said to me, "The teacher is listening to us". 3. Bob said to Tom, "I made no mistakes in the last dictation". 4. I told the policeman, "I saw the thief in the garden". 5. He said, "I haven't read many English books". 6. Jack's father said to him, "You haven't cleaned your shoes". 7. Mary said, "I don't want to wear my old dress". 8. My mother said to me, "I feel very tired, and I have a headache". 9. My friend told me, "We have plenty of time to do our work". 10. I said to my sister, "I haven't seen my uncle for a long time".

2. Change the following sentences into Direct Speech:

1. My sister said that she hadn't got a watch. 2. The teacher told his students that he was pleased with their work. 3. I told him that I hadn't seen his brother for a long time. 4. I told my mother that Henry was studying medicine at the university. 5. She told the grocer that she didn't want any sugar. 6. We told the teacher that we didn't understand his question. 7. I told the taxi-driver that he was driving too fast. 8. She said that her children were playing in the garden.