tense
gb/tˈɛns/ us/tˈɛns/
A2
Inglese
~ 1800
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
B1
state
1
Feeling nervous or worried
Feeling worried, nervous, or unable to relax.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] feels tense
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tense' with 'tight' when talking about feelings. 'Tense' is about emotional or mental stress, not physical tightness.
Sinonimi
anxious (Often implies worry about something specific or in the future.)
Contrari
relaxed (Describes a state of calmness and ease, the opposite of tense.)
Collocazioni
tense atmosphere
|feel tense
|tense situation
|look tense
Temi
emotions
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- She felt tense before giving her speech.
- The atmosphere in the room was tense after the argument.
- He looked tense as he waited for the results.
Esempi per chi studia
- I feel tense before a test.
- The room is tense after the fight.
- He is tense when he talks to his boss.
adjective
B1
property
2
Stretched tight or stiff
Pulled tight and not loose.
Schema d'uso:
[something] is tense
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes use 'tense' instead of 'tight' for clothing. 'Tense' is usually for muscles, ropes, or situations, not clothes.
Sinonimi
taut (Focuses on being physically pulled tight.)
Contrari
slack (Describes something that is loose or not tight.)
Collocazioni
tense muscles
|tense body
|tense rope
Temi
physical
|description
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- The rope was tense under the weight.
- Her muscles were tense from holding the heavy bag.
- He kept his body tense during the exercise.
Esempi per chi studia
- The rope is tense.
- My legs are tense after running.
- His arms are tense when he lifts weights.
Sostantivo
technical
A2
entity
3
Verb form showing time
The form of a verb that shows when something happens (past, present, future).
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse 'tense' with 'time'. Tense is about verb form, not actual clock time.
Sinonimi
verb form (A broader term that can include aspects beyond time.)
Contrari
aspect (A related grammatical category that shows how an action extends over time rather than when it occurs.)
Collocazioni
present tense
|past tense
|future tense
Temi
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
Esempi
- In English, the past tense often ends in -ed.
- The teacher explained how to use the present tense correctly.
- Future tense is less common in some languages.
Esempi per chi studia
- We use past tense for yesterday.
- Present tense means now.
- Future tense means later.
Verbo
B1
action
4
Make tight or rigid
To make something tight, or to become tight.
Schema d'uso:
to tense [something]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes use 'tense' instead of 'stretch'. 'Tense' means to make tight, not to lengthen.
Sinonimi
tighten (A more general term for making something tighter; not limited to physical or emotional contexts.)
Contrari
loosen (Means to make less tight physically.)
Collocazioni
tense muscles
|tense up
Temi
physical
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- She tensed her shoulders before lifting the box.
- His jaw tensed when he heard the bad news.
- The rope tensed as the weight increased.
Esempi per chi studia
- I tense my arms when I lift heavy things.
- He tenses his face when angry.
- The rope tenses when we pull it.
Grammatica
Forma base
tense
IPA
GB/tˈɛns/
US/tˈɛns/
Sillabe e accento
tense (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (tense)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: tense
- Comparative: tenser
- Superlative: tensest
Noun
- Base: tense
- Plural: tense, tenses
Verb
- Base: tense
- 3rd Person Singular: tenses
- Present Participle: tensing
- Past: tensed
Famiglia di parole
Espressioni
in the past tense
1/ˈɪn ðə pˈæst tˈɛns/
fixed phrase
technical
Using verbs for past time
Using a verb form that shows something happened before now.
Esempi
- You should write this story in the past tense.
- He spoke in the past tense about his old job.
tense up
1/tˈɛns ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Suddenly become tight or stiff
To suddenly make your body or mind tight because you are nervous, afraid, or ready for action.
Esempi
- She tensed up when she saw the snake.
- I always tense up before an exam.