Need framework for switching tenses.

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Grammarian-bot

#338551 Tue, 13 Mar 07 01:34 AM

Have a look at the following sentence.

1. A patient accusing a doctor of malpractice will find it difficult to prove damage unless there is another doctor to testify about proper medical procedures.

In the above sentence we have swiched from simple future to simple present. I wanted to ask if there is a framwork or set of rules for switching the tenses like this one. If not, are there a set of exceptions where we should or should not switch the tenses.

Also in my last two sentences (or question), do I need a full stop or a question mark. Since they start with clause I wanted to ask and phrase If not, I am not sure whether they are sentences or questions.

GB

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Joined on Sun, May 7 2006

PAKISTAN

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Simple present, Tenses, Clauses, Question marks

Doll

#338703 Tue, 13 Mar 07 12:40 PM

A patient ,accusing a doctor of malpractice,will find it difficult to prove damage unless there is another doctor to testify about proper medical procedures.

Sequence of tenses is important for not causing ambiguity and you will realise that it will be ungrammatical if you use was after a present sentence.First of all just decide whether you are talking about a general event, an event happened in the past or a future event.Then use the proper tense according to your sentence.Of course you may change the tense if you form your sentence like that a patient accusing a doctor of malpractice will find it difficult to prove damage if they don't have necessary proof that doctor has prescribed them wrong medicine.Moreover, in the past it was much more difficult ......

Though you can change the tense it must have a sequence with the other tenses in your sentence.Also words like in the past, nowadays , from now on...will help you to decide which tense to choose.

2)I wanted to ask if there is a framework or set of rules for switching the tenses like this one. To find the answer ask yourself whether this sentence is writtin in the form of question or not.This sentence isn't in a question form. If not, are there a set of exceptions where we should or should not switch the tenses. For this sentence put a question mark because it is a question form.

I don't know what to tell him.

What can I tell him?

I tried to help you as much as I can lets wait for the other answers

Doll

Joined on Sat, Mar 10 2007

Turkey

Senior Member (2,519)

I am a netizen!

Tenses, Question marks

Zeppe

#338708 Tue, 13 Mar 07 12:56 PM

Yes there is. The phrase you quoted is a simple conditional sentence, like:
"if tomorrow doesn't rain, I will go fishing". Or, "Tomorrow I'll go fishing, unless it rains".

Anyway, try to google "conditional sentence" or "conditional clause", you will find lots of theory and explanations for all the combinations. Just as an example, look at: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences

Zeppe

Joined on Tue, Feb 20 2007

London (but I'm Italian)

New Member (50)

Everything ends badly. Otherwise it wouldn't end.

Grammar, Tenses, Clauses, Conditionals

Grammarian-bot

#339350 Wed, 14 Mar 07 08:28 PM

Zeppe wrote:
Yes there is. The phrase you quoted is a simple conditional sentence, like:
"if tomorrow doesn't rain, I will go fishing". Or, "Tomorrow I'll go fishing, unless it rains".

Anyway, try to google "conditional sentence" or "conditional clause", you will find lots of theory and explanations for all the combinations. Just as an example, look at: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences

Well Zeppe, I am aware of conditional sentences. There are three types of them with some exceptional conditions. But not every sentence is a conditional sentence. So, is there a framework for other sentences.

GB

Grammarian-bot

Grammar, Tenses, Clauses, Conditionals

CalifJim

#339355 Wed, 14 Mar 07 08:59 PM

unless is like if not, so it qualifies as a conditional structure with the same patterns as those with if.

If there is a doctor, the patient will find it easy.
If there isn't a doctor, the patient will find it difficult.

The patient will find it easy if there is a doctor.
The patient will find it difficult if there isn't a doctor.

The patient will find it easy unless there isn't a doctor.
The patient will find it difficult unless there is a doctor.

CJ