Definition of Present tense

1. Noun. A verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking.

Exact synonyms: Present
Generic synonyms: Tense
Specialized synonyms: Historical Present
Derivative terms: Present

Definition of Present tense

1. Noun. (grammar): '''Present tense''' is the form of language used to refer to an event, transaction, or occurrence which is happening now (or at the present time), or an object that currently exists. Compare with past tense, which is the form of language used to refer to an event, transaction, or occurrence that did happen or has happened, or an object that existed, at a point in time before now; or with future tense, an event, transaction or occurrence that has not yet happened, is expected to happen in the future, or might never happen. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Present Tense

present imperfect
present indicative
present moment
present participle
present participles
present perfect
present perfect continuous
present perfect progressive
present perfect tense
present progressive
present progressive tense
present sense impression
present sense impressions
present subjunctive
present system
present tense (current term)
present tenses
present time
presentability
presentable
presentableness
presentably
presentaneous
presentation
presentation software
presentational
presentationalism
presentationally
presentations
presentative

Literary usage of Present tense

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Grammar of the German Language: Designed for a Thoro and Practical Study by George Oliver Curme (1922)
"present tense forms, namely the present, present perfect, future perfect, ie the simple ... The subjunctive of present tense forms (see 167. 2nd par. ..."

2. Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges: Founded on by Joseph Henry Allen, James Bradstreet Greenough (1916)
"The Indo-European parent speech had a present tense to express a and g, ... The present tense denotes an action or state (1) as now taking place or existing ..."

3. Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges: Founded on by Joseph Henry Allen, James Bradstreet Greenough, Benjamin Leonard D'Ooge (1903)
"The Indo-European parent speech had a present tense to express a and g, ... The present tense denotes an action or state (1) as now taking place or existing ..."

4. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association by American philological association (1897)
"On the other hand, such adverbs with the present tense are frequent and commonplace. ... Still there is nothing in the present tense that would prevent the ..."

5. Journal of Proceedings and Addresses of the ... Annual Meeting by Southern Educational Association (1899)
"Let us now consider the difficulties of mood and tense, taking up tense first. You remember the definitions: "The present tense denotes present time. ..."

6. Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges: Founded on by Joseph Henry Allen, James Bradstreet Greenough, Benjamin Leonard D'Ooge (1903)
"The Indo-European parent speech had a present tense to express a and g, ... The present tense denotes an action or state (1) as now taking place or existing ..."

7. English Grammar: Adapted to the Different Classes of Learners : with an by Lindley Murray (1805)
"Flies is an irregular verb neuter, the indicative mood, present tense, and the third ... Act is a regular verb active, indicative mood, present tense, ..."

8. English Grammar: The English Language in Its Elements and Forms ; with a by William Chauncey Fowler (1855)
"The PAST PERFECT ; 3. The FUTURE PERFECT. FORMS FOR THE present tense. § 326. The present tense denotes present time. Of this there are three forms: 1. ..."

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