primary tense
"Primary tense" refers to the basic time-related forms of verbs that indicate the present, past, or future.
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Definition
B2General Grammar
(academic, technical)The basic verb forms that express the time of an action or state, typically including present, past, and future.
Example
- In English, the primary tenses are present, past, and future.
- Understanding primary tenses is essential for mastering verb conjugation.
C1Classical Languages
(academic, technical)In languages like Latin and Greek, the verb forms that indicate present or future time, such as the present, future, and perfect tenses.
Example
- In Latin, primary tenses include the present and future.
- Greek primary tenses encompass the present, future, and perfect tenses.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "primary tense":