本文运用韩礼德的语言系统观,从语义的角度对时态重新加以解释,并认为时态的划分不应该由表达形式来决定,而是应该由所要表达的时间意义来决定。时态同样存在着层次性,每一个时间意义都有多个表达形式,在这些形式中存在着核心形式和边缘形式,而且边缘形式在不同的语境中会产生附加意义。用这种方法就可以解释传统语法中时态的形式与意义不符的问题。 This article uses Halliday’s linguistic system view to explain the tense again from the perspective of semantics. He thinks that the division of tense should not be decided by the form of expression, but should be decided by the time meaning to be expressed. Tense also exists in the hierarchy, each time has multiple expressions, in which there are core forms and marginal forms, and marginal forms have additional meanings in different contexts. This method can be used to explain the traditional grammar tense in the form and meaning of the problem.