how to pronounce tense

/ˈtɛns/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of tense is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

tense is pronounced in one syllable

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1. example pitch curve for pronunciation of tense

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video examples of tense pronunciation

An example use of tense in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… imperfect tense the Pieta of course …”

meanings of tense

noun:

An inflected form of a verb that indicates tense.
Any of the forms of a verb which distinguish when an action or state of being occurs or exists.
The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists.

verb:

To apply a tense to.
To make or become tense.

adjective:

Pulled taut, without any slack.
Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.

tense frequency in english - C1 level of CEFR

the word tense occurs in english on average 9.5 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C1 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.