Grammar: Sequence of Tenses — Class 9 MCQs with Answers
Class 9 CBSE English · Chapter 20
60 practice questions · 20 Easy · 20 Medium · 20 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 9 CBSE English questions from Chapter 20, "Grammar: Sequence of Tenses". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 60 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 20 Easy, 20 Medium and 20 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE Board exams get right.
To score well in "Grammar: Sequence of Tenses", focus on comprehension, grammar and writing skills. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Grammar: Sequence of Tenses, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 9 English mastery score. 12 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Grammar: Sequence of Tenses — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 9 English)
12 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation.
- Q1Easy
Fill in the blank: 'He said that he ___ very tired after the long journey.'
A.was✓ CorrectB.isC.will beD.has beenAnswer: A. was
Explanation: A past main verb pulls the clause that follows into the past.
- Q2Easy
Fill in the blank: 'Our teacher said that honesty ___ the best policy.'
A.would beB.is✓ CorrectC.wasD.had beenAnswer: B. is
Explanation: A universal truth keeps its present tense even after a past reporting verb.
- Q3Easy
Fill in the blank: 'If it rains tomorrow, we ___ stay indoors.'
A.shall haveB.hadC.will✓ CorrectD.wouldAnswer: C. will
Explanation: A Type 1 conditional pairs the present in the 'if' clause with 'will' in the main clause.
- Q4Easy
Fill in the blank: 'She told me that she ___ finished her homework.'
A.will haveB.is havingC.had✓ CorrectD.hasAnswer: C. had
Explanation: An action completed before a past moment takes the past perfect.
- Q5Easy
Fill in the blank: 'He said that the Earth ___ round the Sun.'
A.movedB.had movedC.would moveD.moves✓ CorrectAnswer: D. moves
Explanation: A scientific fact does not shift tense.
- Q6Medium
Identify the error: 'He said that he will help me with the project tomorrow.'
A.will should be would✓ CorrectB.said should be saysC.help should be helpedD.tomorrow should be todayAnswer: A. will should be would
Explanation: After a past reporting verb 'will' must become 'would'.
- Q7Medium
Identify the error: 'The teacher said that water boiled at hundred degrees Celsius.'
A.water should be the waterB.hundred should be a hundredC.boiled should be boils✓ CorrectD.said should be toldAnswer: C. boiled should be boils
Explanation: A universal truth is exempt from the backshift rule.
- Q8Medium
Identify the error: 'I will inform you as soon as I will receive the letter.'
A.first will inform should be informB.as soon as should be as long asC.letter should be a letterD.second will receive should be receive✓ CorrectAnswer: D. second will receive should be receive
Explanation: A future time clause never carries 'will'.
- Q9Medium
Rearrange: 'she / that / knew / would / he / not / come'
A.Knew she that he would not come.B.She knew that he would not come.✓ CorrectC.She knew he that would not come.D.That she knew he would not come.Answer: B. She knew that he would not come.
Explanation: The main clause comes first, then 'that' introduces the reported clause.
- Q10Hard
Choose the sentence with correct sequence throughout.
A.He told us that he had been living there since he was a child.✓ CorrectB.He told us that he has been living there since he is a child.C.He told us that he is living there since he was a child.D.He told us that he lived there since he has been a child.Answer: A. He told us that he had been living there since he was a child.
Explanation: The duration shifts to the past perfect continuous while the 'since' clause takes the simple past.
- Q11Hard
Which sentence correctly keeps a present tense after a past reporting verb?
A.The guide said that the museum had opened at ten every morning.B.The guide said that the museum would open at ten every morning.C.The guide said that the museum opens at ten every morning.✓ CorrectD.The guide said that the museum opened at ten every morning and still does.Answer: C. The guide said that the museum opens at ten every morning.
Explanation: A standing arrangement that is still true may keep the present tense.
- Q12Hard
Choose the sentence with the correct sequence of tenses.
A.If he comes early, we finished the work before noon.B.If he comes early, we shall finish the work before noon.✓ CorrectC.If he will come early, we shall finish the work before noon.D.If he came early, we shall finish the work before noon.Answer: B. If he comes early, we shall finish the work before noon.
Explanation: A Type 1 conditional keeps the present in the 'if' clause and a future form in the main clause.
Key concepts: Grammar: Sequence of Tenses (Class 9 English)
Sequence of tenses is the rule that the tense of a subordinate clause follows the tense of the main verb. Learn the one governing rule, the four exceptions that override it, and the separate rule for future time clauses — almost every question in this chapter is one of those three things.
- The governing rule
- If the main verb is in the past, the clause that depends on it also goes into the past: 'He said that he WAS tired', 'They believed that the news WAS true'.
- Backshift of will
- 'Will' becomes 'would' after a past main verb: 'I knew that he WOULD come to the function.'
- The earlier of two past actions
- The action that happened first takes the past perfect: 'She told me that she HAD finished her homework'; 'Before the guests arrived, mother HAD PREPARED the sweets.'
- Exception 1 — universal truths
- A statement that is always true keeps its present tense whatever the reporting verb: 'Our teacher said that honesty IS the best policy.'
- Exception 2 — scientific facts
- Scientific laws do not shift: 'He said that the Earth MOVES round the Sun'; 'The teacher told us that light TRAVELS faster than sound.'
- Exception 3 — permanent geography
- Permanent facts about places keep the present: 'The guide explained that the river FLOWS into the Bay of Bengal.'
- What is NOT an exception
- A personal habit is not a universal truth and DOES shift: 'She said that she WENT to school every day by bus' — not 'goes'.
- Future time clauses
- A clause of time referring to the future takes the SIMPLE PRESENT, never 'will': 'I shall call you when I ARRIVE at the station'; 'Wait here until she COMES back.'
- Type 1 conditionals here
- 'If' clauses about the future behave the same way — present in the if-clause, 'will' in the main clause: 'If it rains tomorrow, we WILL stay indoors.'
- Two completed past events
- When both clauses describe finished past events at the same time, both stay in the simple past: 'As soon as the bell RANG, the students LEFT the hall.'
- Word order in rearrangement
- The main clause leads, then 'that' introduces the reported clause: 'She knew that he would not come.' With an imperative, the command leads and the time clause follows.
- 'So … that' clauses
- A clause of result introduced by 'so … that' keeps both halves in the same tense: 'He spoke so loudly that everyone HEARD him.'
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Start this chapter free →Grammar: Sequence of Tenses — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 9 English Grammar: Sequence of Tenses?+
Sequence of tenses is the rule that the tense of a subordinate clause follows the tense of the main verb. Learn the one governing rule, the four exceptions that override it, and the separate rule for future time clauses — almost every question in this chapter is one of those three things. Key ideas include The governing rule, Backshift of will, The earlier of two past actions, Exception 1 — universal truths, Exception 2 — scientific facts, Exception 3 — permanent geography.
What does Class 9 English Chapter 20 (Grammar: Sequence of Tenses) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 60 NCERT-based MCQs on "Grammar: Sequence of Tenses": 20 Easy, 20 Medium and 20 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Grammar: Sequence of Tenses" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Grammar: Sequence of Tenses" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 9 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 10 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Grammar: Sequence of Tenses" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Grammar: Sequence of Tenses" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 12 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Grammar: Sequence of Tenses" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Grammar: Sequence of Tenses (Class 9 English)?+
The questions that matter most test The governing rule, Backshift of will, The earlier of two past actions, Exception 1 — universal truths, Exception 2 — scientific facts, Exception 3 — permanent geography. This page shows 12 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 60 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Is there an online quiz for Grammar: Sequence of Tenses?+
Yes — Class 9 English Grammar: Sequence of Tenses has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.