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compound tense

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Noun

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compound tense (uncountable)

  1. (grammar) A tense or tense-like verb form that is constructed analytically, i.e. with an auxiliary verb added (like the perfect tense in English or French), not synthetically (through simple inflection of a base form). Contrasted with a simple tense (like the English simple past or French passé simple.