relative tense

noun

A grammatical expression of time reference relative to a different point in time, at the moment being considered in the context.

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Meanings

nounrelative tense (plural relative tenses)

plural relative tenses

  1. grammarA grammatical expression of time reference relative to a different point in time, at the moment being considered in the context.
Cite this entry
APA

relative tense. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relative%20tense

MLA

“relative tense.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relative%20tense. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “relative tense,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relative%20tense.

Source: relative tense on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.