時態呼應

就是在主句時態為“非現在時”時和“非將來時”時，從句的時態必須與主句相呼應。（現代語法家一般將時態分為“過去時”和“非過去時”）。

原意

英語中的時態呼應(the sequence of tenses)就是在主句時態為“非現在時”時和“非將來時”時，從句的時態必須與主句相呼應。（現代語法家一般將時態分為“過去時”和“非過去時”）。其規則如下：

規則

1.主句謂語為現在時或者將來時態，從句中的謂語時態可以不受影響，即按照意思決定時態。如：

It is reported that they are building a new railway.

Will you please tell us how you got to knwo it?

2.如果主句謂語為過去時，則從句謂語的時態要做相應改變。

(1)一般現在時改為一般過去時，如

I don't know where they live.

I didn't know where they lived.

(2)現在進行時改為過去進行時，如

He wants to know how you're doing.

He wanted to know how you were doing.

(3)現在完成時改為過去完成時，如

I wonder if they have got a reply.

I wondered if they had got a reply.

(4)現在完成進行時改為過去完成進行時，如

I know you have been worrying about us.

I knew you had been worrying about us.

(5)一般將來時改為過去將來時，如

I hope she will find a job soon.

I hoped she would find a job soon.

(6)將來進行時改為過去將來進行時，如

I think she will be playing golf this time on Sunday.

I thought she would be playing golf this time on Sunday.

(7)將來完成時改為過去將來完成時，如

I expect he will have changed his mind by tomorrow.

I expected he would have changed his mind by tomorrow.

(8) 將來完成進行時改為過去將來完成進行時，如

She will have been teaching in this university for 20 years by this summer.

She told me that she would have been teaching in this university for 20 years by this summer.