Phrase guide

preterite-present verb

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A type of verb specific to Germanic languages in which the forms of the present tense resemble the forms normally found in the preterite (or past) tense of strong verbs. In modern English these are principally can, may, shall, will; one can also include the other verbs that do not (or not always) take -s in the third-person singular: dare, must, need, ought. The only non-modal preterite-present verb is an archaic verb wit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: grammar, human-sciences, linguistics, sciences

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

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Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: preterito-presens — a type of verb
  • Dutch: preterito-praesens — a type of verb
  • German: Präteritopräsentium — a type of verb
  • German: Präteritopräsens — a type of verb
  • Icelandic: núþáleg sögn — a type of verb
  • Italian: verbo perfetto-presente — a type of verb