I am confused by the tense simplification in subordinate clauses and modal verbs which can be used to talk about the present or future.
Let's look at this sentence first:-
"Any person who wounds a person must be sentenced to permanent imprisonment."
"Must" in the main clause can be used to talk about the present or future.
So if "must" in the main clause talks about the future, and I apply the time simplification rule to the subordinate clause, the time of the subordinate clause should be future: "Any person who [will] wound a person must be sentenced to permanent imprisonment".
But if "must" in the main clause talks about the present, the time of the subordinate clause should be present, telling in general who "any person" is.
How can I interprete the times of the main and suboridnate clauses :?:
Another question is that if "must" in the main clause talks about the present, can I say that the main clause does not only refer to the present, but also refers to all the time (i.e. it is a thing in general or a permanent situation) :?:
Thank for your help in advance :-D
Let's look at this sentence first:-
"Any person who wounds a person must be sentenced to permanent imprisonment."
"Must" in the main clause can be used to talk about the present or future.
So if "must" in the main clause talks about the future, and I apply the time simplification rule to the subordinate clause, the time of the subordinate clause should be future: "Any person who [will] wound a person must be sentenced to permanent imprisonment".
But if "must" in the main clause talks about the present, the time of the subordinate clause should be present, telling in general who "any person" is.
How can I interprete the times of the main and suboridnate clauses :?:
Another question is that if "must" in the main clause talks about the present, can I say that the main clause does not only refer to the present, but also refers to all the time (i.e. it is a thing in general or a permanent situation) :?:
Thank for your help in advance :-D