Discuss your understanding of the term ‘Tense’ used in grammar
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Tense, in grammar, refers to the time at which an action or event takes place. It indicates when in the past, present, or future an action occurs. Understanding tense is crucial as it helps convey the timeframe of actions and events in sentences.
Verbs are usually the main component that changes to reflect different tenses. In English, there are three primary tenses: past, present, and future. Let's break them down:
1. Past tense: Used to describe actions, events, or states that occurred in the past. It is formed by adding "-ed" or "-d" to the base form of regular verbs; irregular verbs have their own conjugation patterns. For example:
- Regular verb: walk -> walked
- Irregular verb: go -> went
2. Present tense: Describes actions, events, or states happening in the current time or states that are usually true. The present tense does not undergo significant changes for regular verbs. Examples:
- Regular verb: walk (present simple) -> walk(s)
- Irregular verb: go (present simple) -> go(es)
3. Future tense: Expresses actions or events that are yet to happen in the future. In English, the future tense is often formed using auxiliary verbs like "will" or "shall" with the base form of the main verb. For example:
- I will eat dinner tonight.
Additionally, within each tense, there are different forms that enable finer distinctions such as continuous or perfect aspects. The continuous aspect indicates ongoing actions, while the perfect aspect refers to completed actions. For instance:
- Past continuous: She was reading a book.
- Present perfect: They have finished their homework.
- Future continuous: I will be attending a conference.
Remember that understanding the context and time frame is essential in determining the appropriate tense to use in a given situation. Carefully considering the subject and the time-frame in which the action occurs will help select the correct tense for effective communication.
http://www.answers.com/topic/grammatical-tense
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