Showing posts with label in tens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in tens. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

tense, tents, intense, in tents

Tense or tense means strained or stretched taut--
The cord was so tense that it snapped.
She was tense, and her nerves were frayed.

Tense is also a  grammar term, meaning the form a verb ( action word ) takes to express the past, present, or future--when the action was begun, or when it ended--
The verb "to be" has an irregular past tense--was or were.
The future tense of "to be" is "will be".

Tents or tents ( rhymes with tense ) is the plural of "tent", meaning a canvas or nylon portable dwelling--
They pitched their tents at the edge of the woods.
He bought some army surplus tents, for camping next summer.

Intense or intense ( one word )  means to a strong or extreme degree, literally or figuratively--
His anger was so intense that he was speechless.
The sunlight was so intense that it hurt his eyes.
The intense heat made them all feel tired.

Intents ( one word )  is usually only found in the familiar expression "all intents and purposes", meaning for all practical purposes--
His work is now useless, for all intents and purposes.

In tents ( two words ) means within or inside of a canvas or nylon portable dwelling--
We rented cabins this year. Next year we plan to camp in tents.
The army camps in tents.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Next time we won't camp in tents. The intense heat made everyone in the tents feel tense and tired. For all intents and purposes, the tents were a nightmare."

Note--"intent" means purpose or goal--
He made his intent to rob the bank clear when he brandished a weapon.
Intent also means fixed on or determined--
He seems intent on finding a new job; he's fed up with this one.

Note # 2--"tens" ( tenz) means the number column used to add up figures that are multiples of ten--
Make sure to keep the ones in the ones column and the tens in the tens column.
"Tens" may also be the plural of ten-dollar bills--
I'd like that in fives and tens, please.
I'd like that in tens and twenties, please.