Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

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What is 'tense' in grammar?

A category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
A narrative style
A form of punctuation
A speech pattern

The correct answer is: A category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

Tense in grammar refers specifically to the category of verbs that convey information about the time at which an action occurs. It is essential for indicating whether something is happening in the past, present, or future. By changing the form of a verb, we can provide clarity on when an event takes place. For example, "walk" indicates a present action, "walked" shows a completed past action, and "will walk" suggests a future action. Understanding tense is critical for effective communication, as it helps listeners or readers grasp the timeline of events being discussed. The other options do not accurately explain the concept of tense. A narrative style pertains to the way a story is told, which is not directly linked to verb time distinctions. Punctuation involves the symbols used in writing to clarify meaning, which does not connect to the temporal aspects of verbs. Similarly, a speech pattern refers to the unique way individuals express themselves verbally, which is unrelated to grammatical tense.