noun
- plural of tense; verb forms that indicate the time of an action or state
Usage: grammar
verb
- third person singular present of tense; makes or becomes tight or rigid
Examples
- Students must learn all the verb tenses in English grammar.
- Past, present, and future are the basic tenses.
- She tenses her muscles before lifting weights.
- His jaw tenses when he’s angry.
- The different tenses can be confusing for language learners.
- He always tenses up during job interviews.
- Perfect tenses require auxiliary verbs.