The term “sequence of tenses” – Italian grammars traditionally use the Latin expression consecutio temporum – covers the relationship between the tense of the verb in the main clause and the tense of the verb in a subordinate clause. In some cases the subordinate verb may be in the same tense as it would be if it were in a main clause, i.e. it simply refers to the time of the action or state being indicated. But in other cases the subordinate tense must be selected according to whether the action or state it refers to is simultaneous, preceding, or following, with respect to the action or state of the main verb.

Sequence of tenses in the indicative

When the verb of the subordinate clause is in the indicative, in most cases it may be in the same tense as if it were in a main clause (as is the case in English), e.g.:

La mostra aprirà all'inizio dell'anno prossimo.

The exhibition will open at the beginning of next year.

Il comitato ha deciso due anni fa che la mostra aprirà all'inizio dell'anno prossimo.

The committee decided two years ago that the exhibition will open at the beginning of next year.

The following exceptions should be noted:

(i) When the main verb is in the Passato Remoto, the subordinate verb cannot normally be in the Passato Remoto but must be in a pluperfect tense, either Trapassato Prossimo or Trapassato Remoto (cf. section 28.8).