English

Noun

present tense ‎(plural present tenses)

1. (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.

   "Has the #5 bus arrived yet?" "Yeah, you didn't make it." (past tense)

   "The bus is too far away. I can’t make it." (present tense)

   "I see the #5 bus across the street. I won’t make it." (future tense)

Synonyms

• present

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• be, is, was