B2 adjective Neutral

tense

/tens/

Describes a person who is nervous, anxious, and unable to relax, often accompanied by physical stiffness. It also refers to a situation, relationship, or atmosphere characterized by strain, potential conflict, or extreme pressure.

Beispiele

3 von 5
1

I always feel incredibly tense before I have to give a presentation to a large audience.

I always feel incredibly nervous and stressed before I have to give a presentation to a large audience.

2

Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have remained tense for several months.

Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have remained strained for several months.

3

You need to relax; you're way too tense about this minor problem.

You need to relax; you're way too stressed about this minor problem.

Wortfamilie

Nomen
tension
Verb
tense
Adverb
tensely
Adjektiv
tense
Verwandt
tenseness
💡

Merkhilfe

Think of a 'Tense Tennis' player. Before a high-stakes serve, their muscles are 'tense' (tight) and the atmosphere is 'tense' (strained).

Schnelles Quiz

The air in the room was ____ as everyone waited for the election results to be announced.

Richtig!

Die richtige Antwort ist: tense

Beispiele

1

I always feel incredibly tense before I have to give a presentation to a large audience.

everyday

I always feel incredibly nervous and stressed before I have to give a presentation to a large audience.

2

Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have remained tense for several months.

formal

Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have remained strained for several months.

3

You need to relax; you're way too tense about this minor problem.

informal

You need to relax; you're way too stressed about this minor problem.

4

The researcher noted a tense dynamic between the control group and the experimental subjects.

academic

The researcher noted a strained dynamic between the control group and the experimental subjects.

5

The atmosphere in the boardroom became tense when the merger was suddenly cancelled.

business

The atmosphere in the boardroom became filled with pressure when the merger was suddenly cancelled.

Wortfamilie

Nomen
tension
Verb
tense
Adverb
tensely
Adjektiv
tense
Verwandt
tenseness

Häufige Kollokationen

tense atmosphere a feeling of strain or nervousness in a specific environment
tense muscles physical tightness in the body caused by stress or effort
grow tense to gradually become more nervous or strained
tense silence a quiet moment filled with anxiety or unspoken conflict
tense situation a scenario that is likely to lead to trouble or an outburst

Häufige Phrasen

tense up

to make one's muscles or body rigid due to fear or stress

a tense standoff

a situation where two opponents are waiting for the other to act, filled with pressure

break the tension

to do something to make a strained situation more relaxed

Wird oft verwechselt mit

tense vs intense

Intense refers to an extreme degree, depth, or strength (e.g., intense heat), while tense refers to a state of mental or physical strain.

tense vs verb tense

Grammatical 'tense' (past, present) is a noun, whereas 'tense' as an adjective describes emotional or physical state.

📝

Nutzungshinweise

Use 'tense' to describe both people (internal feelings) and environments (external vibes). It often implies that something is 'stretched' to its limit and might break or explode.

⚠️

Häufige Fehler

Learners sometimes use 'intense' when they mean 'tense'—remember that 'tense' is about stress/tightness, while 'intense' is about power/degree.

💡

Merkhilfe

Think of a 'Tense Tennis' player. Before a high-stakes serve, their muscles are 'tense' (tight) and the atmosphere is 'tense' (strained).

📖

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin word 'tensus', the past participle of 'tendere', meaning 'to stretch'.

Grammatikmuster

Commonly used after linking verbs: 'to feel tense', 'to look tense', 'to become tense'. Can be used as a causative verb: 'to tense one's shoulders'.

Schnelles Quiz

The air in the room was ____ as everyone waited for the election results to be announced.

Richtig!

Die richtige Antwort ist: tense

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