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What are English tenses?

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13y ago

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A tense is a way of referring to a time (past, present or future) in language. Eg. if you say 'I have walked half a mile today', you are using the past tense because you have finished walking at the moment of speaking.

Within each tense, there is a further subdivision: simple and continuous. If you want to stress the duration of the action of which you speak (the fact that it is/was/will be going on), you use the continuous.

Here are some examples of every tense and its variations:

present simple: I walk

present continuous: I am walking

present perfect simple: I have walked

present perfect continuous: I have been walking

past simple: I walked

past continuous: I was walking

past perfect simple: I had walked

past perfect continuous: I had been walking

future simple: I will walk

future continuous: I will be walking

future perfect: I will have walked

future perfect continuous: I will have been walking

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Related questions

What has the author M D Munro Mackenzie written?

M. D. Munro Mackenzie has written: 'Introducing English Tenses' 'Introducing English tenses' 'Background to Britain' 'Using essential English grammar' -- subject(s): English language, Textbooks for foreign speakers 'Intro Eng Tenses Key Intro' 'Key to using essential English tenses' 'Using essential English tenses'


Are there 48 tenses in English?

No there is not.


Why are there two tenses in English?

English has two main tenses, past and present, to express actions that occurred at different times. These tenses help to provide clarity about when something happened in relation to the present moment. The use of past and present tenses also allows for more precise communication and understanding in English.


How many basic verb tenses in English.?

6


Can you list and explain the three main verb tenses in English?

The three main verb tenses in English are present, past, and future. Present tense refers to actions happening now or regularly. Past tense refers to actions that have already happened. Future tense refers to actions that will happen at a later time.


how many tenses are in English language?

Tense mean Time.There are three tenses present ,past,and future.Each tense is further divided in four kinds. Indefinite Continuous Perfect Perfect continuous


Why does English have so many tenses being an analytical language?

English has many tenses due to its history of borrowing words and grammar structures from other languages. The variety of tenses allows for precise and nuanced expression of time and aspect in English sentences.


Review tenses in English in a tabular form?

he gives/he gave/he will give


Are the tenses essential for spoken engllsh?

Tenses are important for spoken English as they help convey the timing of actions or events. Using the correct tenses ensures that your message is clear and easy to understand. While some flexibility exists in informal conversations, understanding and using tenses correctly will improve your fluency and communication.


How many English tenses are there?

There are 12 main tenses in English: simple present, present continuous, present perfect, present perfect continuous, simple past, past continuous, past perfect, past perfect continuous, simple future, future continuous, future perfect, and future perfect continuous.


How do you know about tense in English?

We know about past tenses because we read and learn about them in books.


What is the adjectives tense of beautiful?

Adjectives do not have tenses. In English, only verbs show tense.