Tense & Aspect

TENSE AND ASPECT
Tense is the expression of time relations by means of the verb.

It refers to events situated along the linear flow of time in reference to now. In narrative, a point in past time is the reference point.
English has two tenses: the present and the past. The past is the marked form. (ed ending, irregular past forms). Both past and present tenses combine with the Progressive aspect, as in It was raining. It is raining. The present simple can refer to an event which occurs at the moment the speaker pronounces the words: Off they go! More typically, it refers to events that are recurrent or belong to all time. The past refers to a definite event or state that is seen as remote in time, as hypothetical or for reasons of politeness (social distance).
Aspect is concerned with the internal character of the event as it is presented by

the speaker. It refers to such contrasts as durative/punctual and perfective/imperfective. English has only one obligatory aspectual contrast: progressive/non-progressive. Progressiveness is one type of imperfectivity. Progressiveness, realised by be + verb + ing produces such effects as the stretching out or the repetition of the event. Perfective aspect: the situation expressed by the verb is viewed as a single whole.
The simple aspect Present simple

The speaker sees the event as: a matter of fact immediate, rather than remote (in which case the past simple is chosen).
The present simple can express:

a) timeless statements Water boils at 100C. 1
Wood floats on water. b) states (although the time span is not endless). She lives in Edinburgh. states using stative verbs (know, seem, belong...) He knows Morocco quite well. She seems happy. He belongs to the golf club. c) repeated events in the present (statements are valid at the time of speaking). Adjuncts of time, frequency, place, destination are often necessary. I play tennis most weekends. d) instantaneous events in the present performatives: I resign. I award you first prize. I propose a toast! Commentaries: Beauty passes ahead of Wisdom and gallops first over the finishing line. Demonstrations: So I place the fruit in the blender, press gently... Also used for: future reference, when referring to future events considered to be a factual certainty. e.g. timetables. Reference to past events (dramatic effect) in newspaper headlines: Monkey bites man in relating incidents: I was about to go to bed, when all of a sudden, there's a knock on the door and I see.... (historic present). I visited London last summer. I lived in London for six years. Compare: Did you see Jack this morning? - there is no chance of seeing him any more, either because he has left, for example, because the morning has finished. Have you seen Jack this morning? - the prospect of a meeting still remains.
Past tense
The speaker sees the event or action as: remote in time unreal a remote relationship (polite form)
Past simple
The speaker conceptualises the action as factual, but with an element of remoteness.
The past simple can refer to:

a) definite events in the past, completed and even disconnected from present time. the speaker visualises the events as having occurred at some specific time in the past. The event was completed in the past, and a gap in time separates its completion from the present. Adjuncts of specific past time yesterday, in 1982... - combine with the past.
b) Past tense with present and future reference

in reported speech (backshift): I live in Paris. She said she lived in Paris. In polite requests and enquiries: What is your name? What was your name please? Did you want to speak to me now?
The progressive (continuous) aspect : be + verb + ing

The progressive (continuous) forms express incompleteness, and in particular, incompleteness in time. The speaker visualises an action as occurring for a period, and that this period is limited. The event is of limited duration. The progressive aspect combines with: the present and past tenses with the perfect aspect modals 3
the passive voice
Present progressive
Function: - to indicate a dynamic action in the process of happening, an action going on at the moment of speaking. It is raining. He is writing a letter. - a temporary event: He is living in Edinburgh - a temporary recurrent action: I am taking the car every day this week, as I'm finishing late. - to stretch out an action or a process which has an end:The apples are now ripening. - a changing situation: She is growing very quickly.
Past progressive
Can be used to: - provide a background description: singing. The sun was shining, the birds were
- In combination with the past simple, which interrupts the action. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. All of a sudden, a loud noise disturbed the peace of the afternoon. I was having dinner when the doorbell rang.
State verbs and the progressive

Many stative situations are incompatible with the progressive. weigh, contain, own, sound, belong... verbs of involuntary perception see, hear, smell, taste... verbs of cognition know, believe, understand, wonder... can be used with the progressive with the idea of beginning to...) affective verbs - like, dislike, love, hate...
The perfective forms

Present perfect
have + past participle present perfect simple: I have never been to Thailand. Present perfect progressive: I have been meeting with Jo. a PRESENT tense. RETROSPECTIVE: refers to BEFORE NOW. Compare: Did you see the Tower of London? - a single event, remote in time. Have you seen the Tower of London? - looking back from now into the past.
Present perfect simple

There can be: no restriction on the period over which one looks back: Men have never lived free from fear of war. geographical restriction: I have been to America once. Temporal restriction: I haven't seen him for three months / since we had dinner together last.
Present perfect progressive

Look back over a period of time, insisting on the duration: I have been waiting for an hour. Refer to an action producing a present result:You look hot. I've been running.
Past perfect
to talk about a completed past action taking place before another past action/moment. I hadn't heard about his exploit before you told me. He had already seen the film. (before). 5
Future reference
There is no future tense in English. Different verb forms express future reference
Will
1) to express a spontaneous decision, made at the moment of speaking. The phone rings. I'll get it. 2) to talk about what is considered to be a future fact:It will be Sandra's birthday in 6 days. 3) To make a prediction based on opinion: (I think) they'll get married soon.
Going to
1) Intention a decision made before the moment of speaking: I'm going to live in Spain one day. I was going to be an engineer, but I became a musician instead. 2) Prediction based on present evidence: Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain. She's going to have a baby soon.
Present continuous
A personal arrangement in the near future. The arrangement has truly been decided upon. Can you come to the cinema tonight? No, I'm sorry. I'm having dinner with Jane and Claudia.
Present simple
programmes, timetables The train leaves at 9 a.m. We have English at 2 p.m. The news is on at 8.
Future continuous: will + be -ing

-An action in progress at a definite time in the future. This time next week, I'll be swimming in the Mediterranean.
Future perfect: will + have + past participle

to talk about something which will have happened in the future before a definite date or an other event. I will have finished my book by the time we have to leave.

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TENSE AND ASPECT

Tense is the expression of time relations by means of the verb.

Aspect is concerned with the internal character of the event as it is presented by

The simple aspect Present simple

The present simple can express:

The past simple can refer to:

b) Past tense with present and future reference

The progressive (continuous) aspect : be + verb + ing

the passive voice

State verbs and the progressive

The perfective forms

Present perfect simple

Present perfect progressive

Future continuous: will + be -ing

Future perfect: will + have + past participle

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