Exercises B2 : Basic sequence of tenses in English (answers)

These exercises are based on the key rule from the course: when the main clause is in the past, dependent clauses must backshift accordingly — just as in French concordance des temps.

→ See the course : Basic sequence of tenses in English : complete course

Exercice 1 — Backshifting in context

Fill in each blank with the correct backshifted form of the verb in brackets.

1. She told me she ___ (be) very tired after the meeting.
2. He explained that he ___ (not finish) the report yet.
3. They announced that the train ___ (leave) at noon.
4. My manager said she ___ (be working) on the project all week.

Correction

1. She told me she was very tired after the meeting.
2. He explained that he had not finished the report yet.
3. They announced that the train would leave at noon.
4. My manager said she had been working on the project all week.

Exercice 2 — From direct to reported speech

Transform each direct speech sentence into reported speech, applying the correct sequence of tenses.

1. Direct speech: "I am learning English," she said.
2. Direct speech: "We have already submitted our application," they told us.
3. Direct speech: "I will call you tomorrow," he promised.
4. Direct speech: "She is going to present her findings," the director announced.

Correction

1. She said that she was learning English.
2. They told us that they had already submitted their application.
3. He promised that he would call me the next day.
4. The director announced that she was going to present her findings.

Exercice 3 — Spot and correct the tense errors

Each sentence contains a tense error related to the sequence of tenses. Identify the mistake and rewrite the sentence correctly.

1. She mentioned that she goes to the conference the day before.
2. He said he will help us as soon as he finishes his work.
3. The teacher told the students that they have to hand in their essays by Friday.
4. I noticed that my colleague is struggling with the new software.

Correction

1. She mentioned that she had gone to the conference the day before.
2. He said he would help us as soon as he finished his work.
3. The teacher told the students that they had to hand in their essays by Friday.
4. I noticed that my colleague was struggling with the new software.