Of the TENSES.
Tense is an Inflection of Verbs, whereby they are made to signify, and distinguish the Circumstance of Time.
There are five Tenses, the Present Tense, the Preterimperfect, the Preterperfect, the Preterpluperfect, and the Future.
1. The Present Tense expresses the Time, that now is; as I sup.
2. The Preterimperfect Tense denotes the historical Relation of a past Action, but yet not perfectly compleated, when joined to another Action that is perfectly compleated; as when or while I supped he came in.
3. The Preterperfect Tense expresses the Time Past perfectly; as I have supped.
4. The Preterpluperfect Tense expresses the Time Past doubly; as I had supped.
5. The Future Tense expresses the Time to come; as I shall sup, I will sup.