present tense
8
2.2
- noun
- /ˈprɛzənt tɛns/
- Specialized
:
tiempo presente
- The teacher explained that the present tense describes actions happening right now.
- present-tense description
- use of the present tense
- present-tense narrative
I like the idea of, of starting that the narrative or listening to is past tense versus present tense.
- I like the idea of, of starting that the narrative or listening to is past tense versus present tense.
- Every screenplay that you've ever read, and I'm assuming you've read a lot of them, they're all in the present tense.
- So they would be talking in the present tense about things that had passed the books, all of the props, the TV shows that we showed.
- The subconscious is present tense only and has no future or past.
- It does make sense because your mind only works in the present tense.
- So fear is, is present, You're in the present tense and you're certain there's danger right there facing you.
- Because the mind works entirely in the present tense.
Examples
-
See if you can put it in the present tense and talk to her right now.
-
In most cases, the story is narrated in the present tense.
Academic text (1994) -
I mean, you keep referring to him in present tense.
-
Maybe I'm weird, but to me the present tense makes the action real.
Blog text (17) -
But when things begin to happen, the author switches to present tense.
Academic text (2000) -
"There is no rule against asking questions in the present tense," said Judge Standwell, "and it sure makes the answers come alive."
Academic text (2009) -
No, I've heard his name bandied about all night long in the present tense.
-
"You're really going to stick to the present tense for this, aren't you?"
Blog text (26) -
Scholars have categorized the different uses of the present tense in narrative texts in a variety of ways.
Academic text (1992) -
Patrik speaks in the present tense, thus adding to the fluidity of time an actual folding of time.
Academic text (1999)
Synonyms
24
3.2
The verb form used for actions happening now or regularly
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'present' = current/time of speaking and 'tense' = verb form indicating time, so 'present tense' straightforwardly denotes the verb form for current actions. This is a standard grammatical term found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Present tense combines present (meaning 'now' or being here) and tense (a form that shows time). Picture someone in the room doing something at this moment: the present tense is the verb form we use to show actions or states happening now.