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WordNet-Online
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Definitions from WordNet
Noun past tense has 1 sense
- past, past tense - a verb tense that expresses actions or states in the past
--1 is a kind of tense
--1 has particulars: preterit, preterite
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Definitions from the Web
Past Tense
Definition:
The past tense is a grammatical form that indicates that an action, event, or state of being happened in the past. It is used to describe something that has already occurred.
Senses:
Grammatical:
In grammar, past tense refers to a verb form that shows that an action or state took place in the past. It is typically formed by adding an "-ed" suffix to regular verbs or by using irregular verb conjugations.
Example sentence: He walked to the store yesterday to buy some groceries.
Linguistic:
In linguistics, past tense refers to the category of tense used to express an event that has already taken place.
Example sentence: The researcher argued that the use of past tense in narration creates a sense of temporal distance.
Usages:
Popular Usage:
In popular usage, the past tense is used in everyday conversations, storytelling, and writing to narrate and discuss past events.
Example sentence: Sarah played the piano beautifully at the concert last night.
Local Usage:
In local usage, the way the past tense is spoken or written may vary depending on regional dialects and accents.
Example sentence: In some regions, people might say "I boughten a new car" instead of "I bought a new car."
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