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present tense
noun
: the tense of a verb that expresses action or state in the present time and is used of what occurs or is true at the time of speaking and of what is habitual or characteristic or is always or necessarily true, that is sometimes used to refer to action in the past, and that is sometimes used for future events
Examples of present tense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ties, driving gloves, and briefcases may seem old-fashioned—like dusty 1950s staples—but Chalamet’s costumes make the case for reviving them in present tense.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2024
Are all Aquarians’ inner monologues delivered in a frantic tone of present tense at all times, even during the act of memory?
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 13 Sep. 2024
Touch is fleeting, and there’s no present tense in the world of Wong Kar Wai — the only valuable currency in his movies is the memory of what might have been.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024
His métier isn’t memoir, with its careful, retrospective analysis, but rather the roiling potential of the unresolved present tense.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of present tense was
in the 14th century
Articles Related to present tense
Dictionary Entries Near present tense
Cite this Entry
“Present tense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/present%20tense. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
present tense
noun
: a tense that expresses action or state in the present time and is used of what is true at the time of speaking or is always true
More from Merriam-Webster on present tense
Nglish: Translation of present tense for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about present tense
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