What is Tense?
|
tense (noun): a form of a verb used to indicate the
time, and sometimes the continuation or completeness, of an action in relation
to the time of speaking. (From Latin tempus = time). |
Tense is a method that we use in English to refer to
time—past, present and future. Many languages use tenses to talk about
time. Other languages have no tenses, but of course they can still talk about
time, using different methods.
So, we talk about time in English with tenses. But, and
this is a very big but:
- we can also talk about time without using tenses (for example,
going to is a special construction to talk
about the future, it is not a tense)
- one tense does not always talk about one time (see
tense and time for more about
this)
Terminology
Here are some of the terms used in discussing verbs and
tenses.
Mood
indicative mood expresses a simple statement of fact, which
can be positive (affirmative) or negative
- I like coffee.
- I do not like coffee.
interrogative mood expresses a question
imperative mood expresses a command
subjunctive mood expresses what is imagined or wished or
possible
- The President ordered that he attend the meeting.
Voice
Voice shows the relationship of the subject to the action. In the
active voice, the subject does the action (cats eat mice). In the
passive voice, the subject receives the action (mice are eaten by cats).
Among other things, we can use voice to help us change the focus of
attention.
Aspect
Aspect expresses a feature of the action related to time, such as
completion or duration. Present simple and past simple tenses have no aspect,
but if we wish we can stress with other tenses that:
- the action or state referred to by the verb is completed (and
often still relevant), for example:
I have emailed
the report to Jane. (so now she has the report)
(This is called
perfective aspect, using perfect tenses.)
- the action or state referred to by the verb is in progress or
continuing (that is, uncompleted), for example:
We are
eating.
(This is called progressive aspect, using progressive
[continuous] tenses.)
| englishclub.com Tip |
| Many
English learners worry too much about tense. If you stopped 100 native English
speakers in the street and asked them about tense, one of them might give you
an intelligent answer—if you were lucky. The other 99 would know little
about terms like "past perfect" or "present continuous". And they would know
nothing about aspect, voice or mood. But they can all speak fluent English and
communicate effectively. Of course, for ESL it helps to know about tenses, but
don't become obsessed with them. Be like those native speakers! Speak
naturally! |
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