Abstract: English tense has been one of the main research objects in linguistic and grammatical field. It is a frequently-used strategy to express different emotions or views of the speaker to others. The basic meaning of English tense is to show the time and the state when the action happens, but in the specific context, English tense can also show the interactive relationship between the two interlocutors and reflect speaker’s attitude. Choosing different tense in the process of communication can produce different pragmatic functions. They can suggest different emotional significance, conversational implication and hypothetical significance. The proper use of English tense accords with thinking logic and has a strong explanatory power.
This paper will introduce the English tense which can be divided into many forms and make a detailed introduction of Politeness Principle proposed by Leech which includes six maxims. Then I will analyze the seven pragmatic functions of English tense in interpersonal communication in combination with the six maxims of Politeness Principle such as the function of expressing speaker’s politeness, the function of undertaking responsibility，the function of expressing strong emotions and so on. By writing this article, I try to analyze the pragmatic functions of English tense, which can help people have a better understanding of English tense and use it more properly in interpersonal communication.
Keywords: English tense; systemic functional grammar; Politeness Principle; interpersonal communication; pragmatic functions

摘要：英语时态已经成为语言和语法领域的一个主要研究对象，它是一个常用的策略，被讲话者用来对其他人表达不同的情感以及看法。英语时态的基本意义是谓语动词所表示的动作发生的时间和状态。但在定特的语境里，英语时态还能表明讲话者与事件和情况的关系以及对它们的态度和看法。交流的过程中选择不同的英语时态就可以产生不同的语用功能。这些功能可以暗指不同的情态意义，会话含义以及联想意义。英语时态的正确使用符合逻辑思维并且具有很强的解释力。
本文会先介绍英语时态以及它的几个划分，然后具体介绍利齐的礼貌原则包括它的六个准则，并且结合这些准则来分析英语时态的七种语用功能，像实施礼貌的功能，承担责任的功能以及表达说话者强烈情感的功能。我试着分析英语时态的这些语用功能，帮助人们更好的理解英语时态以及在人际交流中选择恰当的时态。
关键词： 英语时态；系统功能语法；礼貌原则；人际交往；语用功能

English tense always has been one of the main research objects in linguistic and grammatical field. If one takes a look into a dictionary to find out how the word ‘tense’ is defined, one can find the following definition: ‘Tense is a cover term for any forms of a verb that may be used to show the time of the action or state expressed by the verb.’ At the same time, in order to shows whether you are referring to the past, the present or the future. English tense was divided into many forms. For example, past tense that is used to describe speaker’s actions in the past. Past Perfect tense is used when we want to make it clear that this action happened before something in the past. The present perfect tense and future perfect tense have the same usage.