easy
Played is in the past tense in “We played after school.”
What does Tense mean?
Tense can mean a verb form linked to time, or tight, nervous, or strained; to tense is to become that way.
Dictionary definition
In grammar, tense is a verb-form system used to locate a situation in time, especially present or past in English. As an adjective, tense means stretched tight, nervous, or filled with strain or suspense. As a verb, tense means to make or become tight or nervous. In phonetics, a tense speech sound is made with relatively greater muscular effort.
Example sentences
Tense in a sentence
easy
I felt tense before speaking to the large audience.
medium
The sudden noise made everyone tense their shoulders.
hard
English can use a present-tense form for future time, as in “The train leaves tomorrow.”
hard
In phonetics, tense and lax can describe contrasting ways of producing certain vowels.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Tense
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does tense mean in “Walked is a past-tense verb” ?
Here tense names the grammar system that uses verb forms to relate situations to time.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses tense as a verb?
To tense means to make something tight or to become tight.
Practice 3
Which sentence correctly shows that verb tense and calendar time are not always identical?
English uses several constructions, including present-tense forms, to refer to future time.
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Tense
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WordTense.
Partnoun, adjective, verb.
MeaningTense means Tense can mean a verb form linked to time, or tight, nervous, or strained; to tense is to become that way.
ExampleExample: Played is in the past tense in “We played after school.”
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Synonyms
Words like Tense
strainedClose for a tense situation, relationship, expression, or muscle.
nervousClose when a person feels unable to relax because of worry or uncertainty.
tightenClose to the verb tense when something becomes physically tight.
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice tense synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The mood in the locker room grew tense before the final game," then compare close word choices. Practice tense synonyms.
Word family
Tense word family
Base word
tense
noun
tenses
More than one grammatical tense; also a present-tense verb form meaning becomes tight or nervous.
verb
tensed
Made or became tight or nervous.
verb
tensing
Making or becoming tight or nervous.
adverb
tensely
In a nervous, strained, or tight manner.
noun
tenseness
The state of being tense; tension is the more common noun in many contexts.
noun
tension
Physical tightness, emotional strain, or suspense.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Tense
Hint for students
Check the part of speech and context: grammar tense is a noun, while a tense person or scene is tight or nervous, and muscles can tense.
Common mix-up
Tense is not exactly the same as time. English verb forms mark present and past, while speakers use several structures, including present forms, will, and be going to, for future time. Aspect adds information such as whether an action continues or is complete.
Try it in class or at home
Give students six sentences about yesterday, now, and tomorrow. They label verb forms and time references separately, then rewrite two sentences. Add one sentence using tense as an adjective or verb and compare the unrelated sense.
Teacher prompt
Compare “The class starts tomorrow,” “The class started yesterday,” and “The room felt tense.” Which tense refers to time, and which tense describes strain?
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