tense

Pronunciation

• enPR: tĕns, IPA ^(key): /tɛns/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive tense

Comparative tenser

Superlative tensest

1. Tightly stretched.

   Make sure that the net is as stretched as tense as possible for maximum coverage.

2. Stressed; nervous.

   How odd it was that he was a very courageous boy, yet he became very tense when he was being asked to dance.

Noun

Singular tense

Plural tenses

1. (uncountable) (grammar) Tense is a grammatical system of verb forms that usually shows past, present, or future time.

   Unlike French, English only has two tenses: past and present.

2. (countable) A tense is one of the verb forms marked by the tense system.

   The verb cut is spelled the same in both tenses.

3. (countable) In popular language, a tense is often used to refer to any verb form including tense, aspect, mood, and voice.

   Shouldn't this be in the progressive tense?

Verb

Plain form tense

Third-person singular tenses

Past tense tensed

Past participle tensed

Present participle tensing

1. To make or become tense.

This short section needs someone to add to it.