​Sequence of Tenses

• ​applies to sentences that have a main and a subordinate or dependent clause

• ​subordinate clauses can't exist by themselves

• ​subordinate clauses in Latin use the subjunctive mood (so far)

• ​we know 3 subordinate clauses right now: indirect command, cum clause, purpose clause

​Grammar Terms for the Main Verb

​I had given you some new grammar terms to label the tense of the main verb (aka the verb in the independent clause).

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​Primary Sequence -> the main/indicative verb is present or future tense

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​Secondary Sequence -> the main/indicative verb is one of our past tenses (imperfect, perfect, pluperfect)

Time of Action​

Step 2​

What is ​Sequence of Tenses?

​Sequence of tenses is the grammar concept that the tense of the subjunctive is telling you when the action of the subordinate clause is happening in relation to the main verb (not when the time of action is by itself like normal).

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Yes, this is a tricky idea, I will give you a chart of answers to help simplify it.

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​Pause: do we remember subjunctive tenses?

​Present Subjunctive: vowel change (shE wEArs A dIAmond tIAra)

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​Imperfect Subjunctive: whole infinitive + ending

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​Perfect Subjunctive: -eri- OR 2 words + si-

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​Pluperfect Subjunctive: -isse- OR 2 words + esse-

​Chart of Answers

​Steps to Take

• ​Step 1: find both of the verbs

• Step 2: figure out what sequence you're in from the main verb

• ​Step 3: figure out what tense the subjunctive verb is and thus the time of the action

• ​Step 4: translate according to that time of action