tense

[hanuman_2000]

Sir,

1.I went to his house but he had gone.

2.I went to his house but he was not there.
------------------------------------------.
3.There were in danger but now they are safe.

In first two sentences both clause are in past tense but in third
one clause is in past tense and the other is in present.

I am confused.
Please clear the doubt.

Thanks.

[Rusty]

Sir,

1.I went to his house but he had gone.

2.I went to his house but he was not there.
------------------------------------------.
3.There were in danger but now they are safe.

In first two sentences both clause are in past tense but in third
one clause is in past tense and the other is in present.

I am confused.
Please clear the doubt.

Thanks.

1. The speaker, in present time/now/today, looks back at two events in the past.

2. Same.
------------------------------------------.
3.The speaker, in present time, looks back at the past (were) and then comments on the present (now they are).