tense

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tense" is correct and usable in written English.
It is primarily used as an adjective, meaning "causing anxiety or worry" or "strained, as from excitement or suspense". You can use it to describe an atmosphere or situation. Example sentence: The tense atmosphere in the crowded room made it difficult to concentrate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neil reckons that the tense, topsy-turvy nature of their semi-final could give them an edge over Middlesbrough, whose victory over Brentford was relatively straight-forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Even during the tense climax, he keeps things light, combining smiley walkout with stinging kicker: "It's getting a little Diane Sawyer in here," referencing the famously intrusive interviewer.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in Prey, Chris Lunt's tense, gut-wrenching drama about John Simm's cop going on the run after his family is slaughtered, she was just exceptional.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Christophe Berra saw red and 25,000 fans in yellow went wild, sensing that that was probably the moment where the most tense of East Anglian derbies had turned in Norwich City's favour.

The Guardian - Sport

Then one woman turned up with her sister, who had not participated in the project, and the atmosphere turned tense.

The Guardian - Arts

As the results came in, initially I experienced an enormous sense of relief because I hadn't realised how tense the idea of a Labour-SNP coalition had made me.

The Guardian - Opinion

The tense atmosphere was broken by passersby who gave protesters fruit and cakes, and a friendly police officer who corrected a spelling mistake in chalking on the pavement: "Trying to help homeless evicted on Christmas Eve".

The Guardian

A surprisingly tense and nervous Mr Blair has stressed time and again that he believed Saddam should be removed "if there was any possibility" that he had WMD.

The Guardian - Opinion

At a tense meeting between staff, union and management after the announcement Newspoll's head researcher told staff the new methodology used by Galaxy was "crap methodology, telephone research is the best way to do it," sources who were at the meeting told Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

This is a really tense time in British politics and it feels incredible to know that I've made an impact and taken a stand against something about which I was unhappy.

The Guardian

McGowan said that interactions between the two rival campaigns had become "tense" in the days leading up to the poll but insisted that her level of collaboration with unions or other parties was "zilch".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tense" to vividly depict situations filled with anticipation, anxiety, or restrained emotion. It adds depth to descriptions, making them more engaging for the reader.

Common error

While "tense" effectively conveys stress or anxiety, avoid using it excessively in everyday, low-stakes situations. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Consider less intense alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tense" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of strain, anxiety, or heightened anticipation. Ludwig provides numerous examples, such as describing a "tense atmosphere" or a "tense finish".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

25%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tense" functions primarily as an adjective to describe situations or individuals marked by strain, anxiety, or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news, sports, and arts contexts. The word carries a neutral register, making it appropriate for various communication styles. While versatile, avoid overuse in casual contexts to maintain its descriptive impact. Related phrases such as "strained" or "anxious" offer nuanced alternatives, depending on the specific emotion or situation you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strained

Refers more to the effect of pressure or difficulty on a relationship or situation.

anxious

Focuses more on the feeling of worry or unease experienced by an individual.

fraught

Emphasizes the presence of difficulties or dangers, making a situation highly charged.

stressful

Highlights the pressure and demands causing emotional or mental strain.

uneasy

Suggests a feeling of discomfort or apprehension about a situation.

on edge

Indicates a state of heightened nervousness or irritability.

highly strung

Describes someone who is particularly sensitive or excitable.

uptight

Implies a state of being excessively concerned or rigid, often leading to anxiety.

jittery

Focuses on physical manifestations of nervousness, such as shaking or restlessness.

restless

Indicates an inability to relax or stay still, often due to anxiety or boredom.

FAQs

How can I use "tense" in a sentence?

You can use "tense" to describe situations, atmospheres, or even people, such as "The atmosphere in the room was very tense", or "He seemed quite tense before the interview".

What are some words similar to "tense"?

Alternatives include "strained", "anxious", or "uneasy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say a person is "tense"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to describe a person as "tense" if they are showing signs of stress, anxiety, or are not relaxed. For example, "She looked tense as she waited for the results".

What's the difference between "tense" and "intense"?

"Tense" describes a state of anxiety or strain, while "intense" describes something that is very strong or extreme. A situation can be both, but they refer to different qualities.