Meaning & use
tense
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Nervous, worried or unable to relax.
Grammar: Can be graded: more tense, the most tense; often used after feel, look, seem.
Patterns
- feel tense
- look tense
- tense about something
She felt tense before the interview.
He looked tense and kept checking his watch.
Everyone was tense about the results.
adjectivecomparable
Of a situation or relationship, full of worry, anger or the possibility of trouble.
Grammar: Describes things, not people: a tense atmosphere, a tense moment.
Patterns
- a tense situation
- a tense atmosphere
- a tense moment
The atmosphere in the room was tense.
There was a tense moment when the power went out.
Relations between the two countries remain tense.
adjectivecomparable
Stretched tight; not loose.
Grammar: Used of muscles, ropes and similar things: the rope was tense.
Patterns
- tense muscles
- a tense rope
His shoulders were tense after hours at the desk.
Keep the rope tense while you tie the knot.
nouncountablespecialist
A verb form that shows the time of an action, such as past, present or future.
Grammar: Countable: the past tense, three tenses; not used for other kinds of words.
Patterns
- the past tense
- the present tense
- in the past tense
Write the story in the past tense.
English has more tenses than many learners expect.
The present tense is used here for a general truth.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To make a muscle tight and stiff, often through fear or effort.
Grammar: Can take an object (tense your muscles) or stand alone (his body tensed).
Patterns
- tense your muscles
- tense up
- body tenses
She tensed her shoulders and waited for the bang.
He tensed up as the door opened.
Try not to tense your neck while you work.
Word forms
| comparative | tenser |
|---|---|
| superlative | tensest |
| third person singular | tenses |
| past tense | tensed |
| past participle | tensed |
| -ing form | tensing |
Common combinations
- a tense situation
- Negotiators worked late to calm a tense situation.
- tense up
- Her whole body tensed up when she heard the noise.
- the past tense
- Put the verb in the past tense.
- tense atmosphere
- A tense atmosphere filled the waiting room.
- feel tense
- I always feel tense the night before a flight.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nervous
- Close for people, but nervous usually suggests mild worry, while tense suggests tight, strained nerves.
- strained
- Fits relationships and situations well, but it is less common for a single person's feelings.
- taut
- Used for ropes and muscles that are stretched tight; it does not mean worried.
Opposites
Word family
- tension noun
- The feeling of nervousness, or strain between people or countries.
- tensely adverb
- In a nervous or strained way.
- tenseness noun
- The state of being tense.
Commonly confused: tense or tents?
tense vs tents
Sounds the same in fast speech but means the shelters people sleep in outdoors.
Practice
Which sentence uses "tense" as a grammar term?
Choose one answer.
Only option 2 uses "tense" as the name of a verb form. Option 1 describes a mood, option 3 describes muscles, and option 4 uses the verb "tense."
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tense”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.