English

Noun

past historic tense ‎(uncountable)

1. (grammar) A tense used in some languages (such as French and Italian) in narrative, and in spoken language primarily when reading narrative, for completed actions in the past or in speaking of the dead. It is the same as the simple past in many languages, including English.

Translations

Usage notes

In Southern Italy, the past historic is used more acceptably in spoken discourse.

See also

• Wikipedia article on the past historic tense