Relative and Absolute Tense - in English

In English

Past reference time Present reference time Future reference time
Event before reference time (anterior) I had written I have written I will have written
Event at reference time (simultaneous) I wrote I write/am writing I write/will write
Event after reference time (posterior) I would write I will write I will write

English can refer both to a reference time (past, present, or future) in which a situation takes place, and the time of a particular event relative to the reference time (before, at, or after).

Consider, for example, the following sentences:

  • When I got home yesterday, John arrived and met me (past reference, simultaneous event).
  • When I got home yesterday, John had already arrived (past reference, anterior event).
  • When I got home yesterday, John called and said he would arrive soon (past reference, posterior event).

In a present frame of reference, the same sentences appear as follows:

  • Whenever I get home, John arrives and meets me (present reference, simultaneous event).
  • Whenever I get home, usually John has already arrived (present reference, anterior event).
  • Whenever I get home, John usually calls and says he will arrive soon (present reference, posterior event).

The equivalent in a future frame of reference is as follows:

  • When I get home tomorrow, John will arrive and meet me (future reference, simultaneous event).
  • When I get home tomorrow, John will have already arrived (future reference, anterior event).
  • When I get home tomorrow, John will probably call and say he will arrive soon (future reference, posterior event).

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