The Main Clause and the Subordinate Clause

Oct 13, 2025 by pynkocean.com 117 views

Introduction

In the realm of English grammar, the use of tenses can be a complex and nuanced topic. The correct choice of tense can significantly impact the meaning and context of a sentence. In this article, we will delve into the concordance of tenses in the sentence "I thought I will actually write a book that's designed to be a bit of a lullaby." This sentence, spoken by an author who has already published a book, raises an interesting question: why didn't she use "would" instead of "will"?

The Sequence of Tenses

The sequence of tenses refers to the way in which the tense of a verb changes depending on the context in which it is used. In English, there are three main types of tense: the present, the past, and the future. However, when we use a verb in a sentence, we often need to indicate a different time than the main clause. This is where the sequence of tenses comes in.

The Main Clause and the Subordinate Clause

In the sentence "I thought I will actually write a book that's designed to be a bit of a lullaby," we have two clauses: the main clause and the subordinate clause. The main clause is "I thought," and the subordinate clause is "I will actually write a book that's designed to be a bit of a lullaby." The main clause is in the past tense, while the subordinate clause is in the future tense.

The Use of 'Will' Instead of 'Would'

So, why didn't the author use "would" instead of "will" in the subordinate clause? The reason lies in the concept of the sequence of tenses. When we use a verb in a subordinate clause, we need to choose a tense that is consistent with the main clause. In this case, the main clause is in the past tense, so we need to use a tense in the subordinate clause that is also in the past.

The Past Future Tense

The sentence "I thought I will actually write a book that's designed to be a bit of a lullaby" is an example of the past future tense. This tense is used to describe an action that was planned or intended to happen in the future, but did not actually happen. In this case, the author is saying that she thought she would write a book in the future, but she actually wrote it in the past.

The Use of 'Will' in the Past Future Tense

In the past future tense, we use "will" instead of "would" to indicate that the action was planned or intended to happen in the future. This is because "will" is a future tense auxiliary verb, while "would" is a conditional tense auxiliary verb. In the past future tense, we need to use a future tense auxiliary verb to indicate that the action was planned or intended to happen in the future.

The Conditional Tense

The conditional tense is used to describe an action that would happen under certain conditions. In the sentence "I thought I will actually write a book that's designed to be a bit of a lullaby," we are describing an action that would happen if certain conditions were met. However, in this case, the conditions are not explicitly stated, so we use the past future tense instead of the conditional tense.

The Importance of Context

The choice of tense in a sentence is often dependent on the context in which it is used. In the sentence "I thought I will actually write a book that's designed to be a bit of a lullaby," the context is that the author has already published a book. This context helps to explain why the author used "will" instead of "would" in the subordinate clause.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concordance of tenses in the sentence "I thought I will actually write a book that's designed to be a bit of a lullaby" is a complex and nuanced topic. The use of "will" instead of "would" in the subordinate clause is due to the concept of the sequence of tenses and the past future tense. The choice of tense in a sentence is often dependent on the context in which it is used, and the author's use of "will" in this sentence is a good example of this.

The Sequence of Tenses in Different Contexts

The sequence of tenses can be used in different contexts to convey different meanings. Here are a few examples:

The past perfect tense: This tense is used to describe an action that happened before another action in the past. For example: "I had eaten breakfast before I went to school."
The past future tense: This tense is used to describe an action that was planned or intended to happen in the future, but did not actually happen. For example: "I thought I would write a book, but I didn't."
The conditional tense: This tense is used to describe an action that would happen under certain conditions. For example: "If I won the lottery, I would buy a house."

The Importance of Understanding the Sequence of Tenses

Understanding the sequence of tenses is important for effective communication. When we use a verb in a sentence, we need to choose a tense that is consistent with the context in which it is used. If we use the wrong tense, the meaning of the sentence can be changed significantly. For example:

The present tense: This tense is used to describe an action that is happening now. For example: "I am writing a book."
The past tense: This tense is used to describe an action that happened in the past. For example: "I wrote a book."
The future tense: This tense is used to describe an action that will happen in the future. For example: "I will write a book."

The Use of Tense in Different Disciplines

The use of tense is important in different disciplines, such as:

Academic writing: In academic writing, the use of tense is often formal and consistent. For example: "The researcher had conducted a study on the effects of climate change."
Business writing: In business writing, the use of tense is often informal and flexible. For example: "We will be launching a new product next quarter."
Creative writing: In creative writing, the use of tense is often flexible and experimental. For example: "I had always dreamed of writing a novel, but I never had the time."

The Future of Tense in English Grammar

The use of tense in English grammar is constantly evolving. With the rise of digital communication, the use of tense is becoming more flexible and informal. For example:

The use of the present perfect tense: This tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. For example: "I have been writing a book for the past year."
The use of the future perfect tense: This tense is used to describe an action that will be completed at a specific time in the future. For example: "I will have written a book by next year."

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concordance of tenses in English grammar, including the sequence of tenses and the use of tense in different contexts. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the concordance of tenses in English grammar.

Q: What is the sequence of tenses?

A: The sequence of tenses refers to the way in which the tense of a verb changes depending on the context in which it is used. In English, there are three main types of tense: the present, the past, and the future.

Q: Why is the sequence of tenses important?

A: The sequence of tenses is important because it helps to convey the meaning of a sentence. If we use the wrong tense, the meaning of the sentence can be changed significantly.

Q: What is the difference between the past future tense and the conditional tense?

A: The past future tense is used to describe an action that was planned or intended to happen in the future, but did not actually happen. The conditional tense is used to describe an action that would happen under certain conditions.

Q: Can you give an example of the past future tense?

A: Yes, here is an example: "I thought I would write a book, but I didn't." In this sentence, the verb "would" is used to indicate that the action of writing a book was planned or intended to happen in the future, but did not actually happen.

Q: Can you give an example of the conditional tense?

A: Yes, here is an example: "If I won the lottery, I would buy a house." In this sentence, the verb "would" is used to indicate that the action of buying a house would happen under certain conditions (i.e., if the speaker won the lottery).

Q: What is the difference between the present perfect tense and the past perfect tense?

A: The present perfect tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present. The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that happened before another action in the past.

Q: Can you give an example of the present perfect tense?

A: Yes, here is an example: "I have been writing a book for the past year." In this sentence, the verb "have been" is used to indicate that the action of writing a book started in the past and continues up to the present.

Q: Can you give an example of the past perfect tense?

A: Yes, here is an example: "I had eaten breakfast before I went to school." In this sentence, the verb "had eaten" is used to indicate that the action of eating breakfast happened before the action of going to school.

Q: What is the future perfect tense?

A: The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will be completed at a specific time in the future.

Q: Can you give an example of the future perfect tense?

A: Yes, here is an example: "I will have written a book by next year." In this sentence, the verb "will have written" is used to indicate that the action of writing a book will be completed at a specific time in the future (i.e., by next year).

Q: Why is it important to understand the sequence of tenses?

A: Understanding the sequence of tenses is important because it helps to convey the meaning of a sentence. If we use the wrong tense, the meaning of the sentence can be changed significantly.

Q: Can you give some tips for using the sequence of tenses correctly?

A: Yes, here are some tips:

Use the present tense to describe actions that are happening now.
Use the past tense to describe actions that happened in the past.
Use the future tense to describe actions that will happen in the future.
Use the present perfect tense to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present.
Use the past perfect tense to describe actions that happened before another action in the past.
Use the future perfect tense to describe actions that will be completed at a specific time in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concordance of tenses in English grammar is a complex and nuanced topic. By understanding the sequence of tenses, we can communicate more effectively and accurately in different contexts. We hope that this Q&A article has been helpful in answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the concordance of tenses in English grammar.