# What's the name of this tense? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 10, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472 "2003-07-10T14:45:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/1 "2003-07-10T14:45:24Z")
I did a search on tenses but I couldn’t find an example of this: You say horrible things. Betty teaches. As in you _always_ say horrible things and Betty teaches everyday. Is there a name for this tense or is it considered simple present? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/2 "2003-07-10T14:55:04Z")
In the sentences you’ve presented (pun intended), it’s simple present tense. Your _meaning_ is progressive perfect present tense, though. You’d say, for example, _You always say horrible things_. See [here.](http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/tenses.html) ---
**Author:** ![tomyoung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@tomyoung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomyoung)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/3 "2003-07-10T14:56:09Z")
You mean like an ongoing present tense versus a discrete event present tense? In English? Maybe present progressive qualifies, e.g. “Betty is teaching,” or “you are saying horrible things.” But in that case, your examples aren’t in that tense. Maybe you could elaborate. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/4 "2003-07-10T15:01:06Z")
_…Betty teaches everyday._ Betty teaches ordinary? Betty teaches commonplace? Oh, you mean Betty teaches **every day** (two words). Gotta stop believing those advertising copywriters are trying to be grammatically correct. Sorry, I don’t know if there’s an official tense designation in English for continuous or ongoing action. ---
**Author:** ![parlo\_americano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b19c9b/32.png) [@parlo\_americano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parlo_americano)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/5 "2003-07-10T15:19:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Q.E.D. \* > Your meaning is progressive perfect present tense, though. You’d say, for example, _You always say horrible things_. That isn’t progressive present perfect tense. If it was the sentence would read You have been saying horrible things. The two sentences are examples of present tense. I teach present simple as being used to express: 1. facts. Water boils at 100 C. 2. opinions. I love chocolate. 3. routines. I get to work at 7am. 4. habits. I bite my nails. And QED You can use always in the progressive (aka continuous) tense when expressing exasperation at a repeated action. I am always forgetting my keys! when expressing a ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/6 "2003-07-10T16:17:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by parlo americano \* > That isn’t progressive present perfect tense. > > If it was the sentence would read > > You have been saying horrible things. Your example is present _perfect_ progressive. Simple present progressive would be “You are saying horrible things.” ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/7 "2003-07-10T17:38:06Z")
I think the aorist tense in classical Greek is pretty close to what the OP is asking for, but there’s nothing like it in English. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/8 "2003-07-10T20:46:34Z")
Let us take a moment to mourn our lack of the Dative Tense. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/9 "2003-07-10T20:52:33Z")
progressive perfect present tense? Is that when you’re around a strict liberal who should loosen up? I have no idea what you guys are talking about, but it sure sounds interesting. This is what a math thread must look for an English major. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/10 "2003-07-10T20:53:42Z")
What this (and many similar and dissimilar) example shows is that the “present” tense in English is really the tenseless tense. Except for the preterite, English does not do inflected tenses, but rather indicates various times and aspects using auxiliaries. And although you won’t hear it called that by English teachers, the correct discription of the preterite is the perfect tense. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/11 "2003-07-10T20:56:42Z")
Arrgh! “must look _like_ to”, of course. English is not my first language. Does it show? Mmmm. Math thread looking for English major? ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/12 "2003-07-10T21:51:06Z")
Total hijack, but this reminds about something I read about. Apparently there was a singer in a band that would often play to a very sparse and disinterested crowd, and he would get bored because they sang covers of old standards, so he would change the songs to what I think (fuzzy memory here) is the present progressive plural conditional tense (or something like that). So, “I love you” turns into “We would have been loving you.” Hilarity ensues. ---
**Author:** ![bryanmaguire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/13 "2003-07-10T23:55:06Z")
**Hari Seldon** bad. Make brain hurt. - Note to self : stay out of GQs on english. Stick to the geeky techy stuff.\* ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weak\_Force](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9dc877/32.png) [@The\_Weak\_Force](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weak_Force)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/14 "2003-07-11T03:10:19Z")
TaxGuy, I think that’s conditional _perfect_ progressive conditional; plural isn’t a tense designation. Future perfect progressive is more awkward. “We will have been loving you.” 🙂 Also, Paul in Saudi, dative is a case, not a tense. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/15 "2003-07-11T03:58:57Z")
Okay, English recognizes two present tenses. The simple present is used for state of being and for habitual action. “The Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbor.” (It’s permanent; it’s not about to climb down off its plinth and walk to Philadelphia.) “Mary teaches fourth grade.” (At the time I’m typing this, she’s probably snuggling up to her husband in bed – but that’s what she does on a regular basis.) “Congress passes the budget each year.” (Always has, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.) The present progressive is used for ongoing action: “John is dancing the tango with Sally.” (Later they’ll get a motel room, but that’s what he’s doing right now.) “Peter is finishing his homework.” English rarely uses the _historical present_ but it does occur and should be mentioned for completeness. This is the usage of narrating a past event as though one were present and observing it as it happened. It has to functions: a sense of vividness and immediacy, and allowing a bit more room for the sequencing of events – i.e., fewer “This had happened immediately after that had been completed” double pluperfects. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/16 "2003-07-11T06:08:22Z")
Forgive me. I understand the Language of Shakespeare to have four present tenses each with two voices. “I do” (present simple) “I am doing” (present progressive or present continious as you prefer) “I have done” (present perfect) and “I have been doing” (present perfect progressive) Am I mistaken? ---
**Author:** ![parlo\_americano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b19c9b/32.png) [@parlo\_americano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parlo_americano)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/17 "2003-07-11T07:20:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hari Seldon \* > \*\*What this (and many similar and dissimilar) example shows is that the “present” tense in English is really the tenseless tense. Except for the preterite, English does not do inflected tenses, but rather indicates various times and aspects using auxiliaries. And although you won’t hear it called that by English teachers, the correct discription of the preterite is the perfect tense. \*\* It is inflected. Although not by much. Note S in 3rd per sing. I walk you walk he/she/it walkS we walk you walk they walk The auxiliary used with the present tense is do/does. It’s used in questions ex. What do you want? Do you smell that? negatives ex. “I don’t care,” said Pierre. and for emphasis ex. I do care. I really do. **Hari Seldon** Can you give us an example sentence for the preterite vs. simple past tense? ---
**Author:** ![parlo\_americano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b19c9b/32.png) [@parlo\_americano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parlo_americano)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/18 "2003-07-11T07:26:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Polycarp \* > \*\*Okay, English recognizes two present tenses. > > The simple present is used for state of being and for habitual action. > > English rarely uses the _historical present_ but it does occur and should be mentioned for completeness. This is the usage of narrating a past event as though one were present and observing it as it happened. It has to functions: a sense of vividness and immediacy, and allowing a bit more room for the sequencing of events – i.e., fewer “This had happened immediately after that had been completed” double pluperfects. \*\* Don’t forget about using present for reporting on ongoing actions… Present simple - He shoots! He scores!! Present continuous - I can’t believe this is happening!! ---
**Author:** ![parlo\_americano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b19c9b/32.png) [@parlo\_americano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parlo_americano)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/19 "2003-07-11T11:13:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Paul in Saudi \* > \*\* I understand the Language of Shakespeare to have four present tenses each with two voices. > > “I do” (present simple) > “I am doing” (present progressive or present continious as you prefer) > “I have done” (present perfect) > and > “I have been doing” (present perfect progressive) > > \*\* Okay let’s define a few words for this discussion. I am using definitions from: [http://www.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/GlossaryLinguisticsT.htm](http://www.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/GlossaryLinguisticsT.htm) “Tense is a grammatical category, typically marked on the verb, that deictically refers to the time of the event or state denoted by the verb in relation to some other temporal reference point.” “Absolute tense is a tense that refers to a time in relation to the moment of utterance.” “Present tense is an absolute tense that refers to the moment of utterance. It often refers to events or states that do not merely coincide with the moment of utterance, such as those that are continuous, habitual, or lawlike.” So, yes, what you wrote are examples of present tense because they all have something to do with present. The word in blue shows that the absolute tense is present. “I (do) like chocolate.” (present simple-but this doesn’t have to have a marking as it is understood. See my previous post about inflection) “I am doing my homework” (present progressive or present continuous) “I have done that” (present perfect) and "I have been doing this " (present perfect progressive) Then you can look at the aspect of the verb “Aspect is a grammatical category associated with verbs that expresses a temporal view of the event or state expressed by the verb.” So this shows us if it’s simple, continuous/progressive, or perfect. “I like chocolate.” (present simple) - No spoken aspect marker so it’s simple. “I am doing my homework” (present progressive or present continuous) “I have done that” (present perfect) and "I have been doing this " (present perfect progressive) You used the word voice. That talks about what the subject of the verb is. i.e. Passive Voice- subject is the object and the one doing the action might not even be mentioned. (She was called the 8th wonder of the world in certain circles.) vs. Active voice - the one doing the action is the subject and the object is the object (I called her Mother.)do Then we also have modality and that gets into conditionals and the verbs relatioship with reality. And also a verb can carry agreement of gender (not in english), case (not in english unless you want to consider possesive/genitive), and person and plurality (1st per sing). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Philosopher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Philosopher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Philosopher)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472/20 "2003-07-11T12:47:07Z")
I understand most of these tenses and their designated names (finally, something useful comes of taking Latin for all those years!), but, forgive me, I don’t quite understand this tense: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by parlo americano \* > \*\*“I have done that” (present perfect) > and > "I have been doing this " (present perfect progressive) I was always taught that the first example here is simply known as the ‘perfect’ tense. If this is in fact the _present_ perfect, then what would a regular perfect tense look like? (The same goes for the second example: what would a regular perfect progressive look like?). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-this-tense/187472.md?page=2)