The crucial difference is that 'event' in the first example is singular, but 'clauses' in the second example is plural. A single event cannot be both fictional and nonfictional, so you must use 'either'. In the second example, you are talking about a characteristic that both types of clauses (not j...

I agree with much of what you say, but I think where we differ is that you are trying to derive tense/aspect rules for a complex sentence without looking outside that sentence. Look at the main clauses of the four sentences listed above. How can the subordinate clause help you to decide whether to ...

Do you still use the present indicative in structures such as 'if I was' when the statement is non-hypothetical? I've read you are supposed to, but 'apparently' the indicative is not used in this way (anymore), and is only used as an informal alternative to the hypothetical/subjunctive statement 'if...

As we have already discussed, 'both x and y' can have a combinatory or segregatory meaning. Do you think this sentence is OK, or do you think it is unclear whether the conjoins are combinatory or mutually exclusive? A story is the retelling of an event, both fictional and nonfictional. Would you pre...

And you don't always need a past perfect tense - sometimes it is appropriate for both clauses to use the past simple. Indeed. The chronological order of the events referred to in a sentence is not a reliable guide to the tenses required in that sentence. Can you show me an example where this would ...

I notice Sap was nice enough to explain to you how to change the font of your quote, Luke.

Maybe we should send him some freshly baked cookies to say thanks (though they won't be that fresh when he receives them).

Still, tense choice is a result of context and nuanced meaning, not the result of one verb or another. Yes, you choose a tense in a clause that shows when that action happened in relation to the context--which includes a subordinate clause! 'had + verb' happens(ed) before something else. Is this wr...

I am saying this:

Tense/aspect shows something happens at a certain time in relation to the rest of the context, be it the subordinate clause and/or the context as a whole.

Are you saying this?

Tense/aspect shows something happens at a certain time in relation to the context as a whole

John had gone out when I arrived in the office The past perfect is used here to show the going happened before the arriving. Had there not been a subordinate clause, the past perfect would not be necessary, thereby showing the subordinate influences the tense of the main clause. I'm afraid you don'...

The sentence can be influenced by the tense of the subordinate. Can you please give an example of a pair of sentences where a change in the tense of the subordinate requires a corresponding change in the tense of the main verb? I'm not sure if a change in the tense of the subordinate will necessita...

Audiendus said in response to my question about what tense/aspect the main clause should be in: It depends on the context of the main clause alone. Imagine that the sentence had read "He [had] refused to go immediately". Decide which tense would sound better there in the context of the pas...

When parsed, it is clear you're right.

Spot the grammatical error in the above sentence.

Dangling modifier

but it not an influence created by a grammatical relationship. Rather, it is created by a semantic relationship between clauses. I'm not quite sure how you interpreted my earlier posts--I too think the choice of tense and aspect is a matter of semantics; that is, I choose the past perfect if I want...

http://www.myenglishteacher.net/pastperfecttense.html This site explains the use of the past perfect, using the sentence in discussion. It justifies the use of the past perfect for the reason I have mentioned :? My logic (or lack thereof) was that the past perfect shows something happens before some...

I definitely agree that the greater context has an influence over the tense and aspect used in the main clause. But I'm not convinced the subordinate clause has no influence. I haven't found any sources that explicitly state how the tense/aspect of the main clause is determined. I know you are meant...