Sequence of tenses

Sequence of tenses with infinitives

An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by to. Use the present infinitive (to be, to understand) to show action at the same time as or later than the action of the verb in the sentence.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The club had hoped to have raised a thousand dollars by April 1. Revised sentence: The club had hoped to raise a thousand dollars by April 1. Explanation: The verb 'have raised' has been replaced by 'raise.'

The action expressed in the infinitive (to raise) occurred later than the action of the sentence’s verb (had hoped).

Use the perfect form of an infinitive (to have followed by the past participle: to have begun, to have walked) for an action occurring earlier than that of the verb in the sentence.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Dan would like to join the navy, but he did not pass the physical. Revised sentence: Dan would like to have joined the navy, but he did not pass the physical. Explanation: The word 'join' has been replaced by 'have joined.'

The liking occurs in the present; the joining would have occurred in the past.

Sequence of tenses with participles

Like the tense of an infinitive, the tense of a participle is governed by the tense of the sentence’s verb. Use the present participle (acting, lying) for an action occurring at the same time as that of the sentence’s verb.

Example sentence: Hiking the Appalachian Trail in early spring, we spotted many wildflowers.

Use the past participle (given, helped) or the present perfect participle (having started) for an action occurring before that of the verb.

Example sentences: Discovered off the coast of Florida, the Atocha yielded many treasures. Having worked her way through college, Lee graduated debt-free.