What is the definition of a tense? How many tenses are there?

Tense shows the time when an action or condition occurred.

Tense may also provide emphasis and may determine whether or not an action or condition was continuous or repetitive.

There are three basic tenses--- , , .

There are other tenses under these basic tenses.

1. Past Tense

2. Simple Past

   • Past Progressive
   • Past Perfect

3. Past Perfect Progressive

4. Present Tense

5. Simple Present

6. Present Progressive
7. Present Perfect

8. Present Perfect Progressive

9. Future Tense

10. Simple Future

    • Future Progressive
    • Future Perfect

11. Future Perfect Progressive

There are two Emphatic Tenses:

• Past Emphatic
• Present Emphatic

All in all, there are ##14## tenses in the English language.