Difference between revisions of "Tenses of English"

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(based on a term paper by Anika Freise)
 
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According to Huddleston and Pullum (2002), there are two [[primary tenses]], 'present tense' and 'past tense' (also ‘present’ and ‘preterite’, respectively).
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According to Huddleston and Pullum (2002), there are two [[primary tenses]] in English, 'present tense' and 'past tense' (also ‘present’ and ‘preterite’, respectively). Leech (1971) (as well as many others) also regard the grammaticalized means of expressing future time reference as tenses.
  
 
==Present tense==
 
==Present tense==
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** ''He takes the run-up, he takes off and he vaults six meters.''
 
** ''He takes the run-up, he takes off and he vaults six meters.''
 
** ''The referee blows the whistle and Ballack passes the ball to his teammate.''
 
** ''The referee blows the whistle and Ballack passes the ball to his teammate.''
* with verbs denoting [[state]]s and [[process]]es which occupy a longer period but include the present moment
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* with verbs denoting [[state]]s and [[process]]es (including habits) which occupy a longer period but include the present moment
** ''I prepare food.''
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** ''I prepare food (every day).''
 
** ''Berlin is the capital of Germany.''
 
** ''Berlin is the capital of Germany.''
 
* with future time reference
 
* with future time reference
 
** ''The next high tide is at 4 o’ clock. (main clause)''
 
** ''The next high tide is at 4 o’ clock. (main clause)''
 
* in specific types of subordinate clauses
 
* in specific types of subordinate clauses
* ''Please bring the washing in if it rains.''  
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** ''Please bring the washing in if it rains.''  
  
 
===Present Progressive===
 
===Present Progressive===
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* ''If he loved her, he’d change his job.''
 
* ''If he loved her, he’d change his job.''
  
Finally, the past tense is used in backshifting ([[consecution temporum]]):
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Finally, the past tense is used in backshifting ([[consecutio temporum]]):
 
* ''He said that he was happy.''
 
* ''He said that he was happy.''
  
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The aspectual categories 'progressive' and 'non-progressive'/'simple' can combine relatively freely with the past tense and are interpreted in a largely compositional way.
 
The aspectual categories 'progressive' and 'non-progressive'/'simple' can combine relatively freely with the past tense and are interpreted in a largely compositional way.
  
==Future tenses==
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==Future tenses/Future time reference==
 
The future tense is used when the time of situation (or the point of orientation) are located after the moment of utterance. There are several ways of expressing future time reference:
 
The future tense is used when the time of situation (or the point of orientation) are located after the moment of utterance. There are several ways of expressing future time reference:
  
* ''will/shall'' + infinitive
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====''Will/shall'' + infinitive====
** prediction
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* prediction
*** ''Tomorrow’s weather will be cold and cloudy.''
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** ''Tomorrow’s weather will be cold and cloudy.''
** in conditional sentences
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* in conditional sentences
*** ''If you pull this lever, the roof will slide back.''
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** ''If you pull this lever, the roof will slide back.''
** 'prophetic' statements
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* 'prophetic' statements
*** ''In twenty years’ time, the average employee will work a twenty-five hour week.''
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** ''In twenty years’ time, the average employee will work a twenty-five hour week.''
* ''be going to' + infinitive
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====''Be going to' + infinitive====
** future fulfillment of a present intention or cause
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* future fulfillment of a present intention or cause
*** ''He is going to score a goal.''
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** ''He is going to score a goal.''
** ''What are you going to do today?''
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* ''What are you going to do today?''
* present progressive with future time reference
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====Present progressive with future time reference====
** future fulfillment of a present arrangement
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* future fulfillment of a present arrangement
*** ''I’m inviting them to my party.''
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** ''I’m inviting them to my party.''
*** ''We’re having fish for dinner.''
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** ''We’re having fish for dinner.''
* Simple Present with future meaning
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====Simple Present with future meaning====
** in specific types of subordinate clauses
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* in specific types of subordinate clauses
*** ''When the spring comes, the swallows will return.''
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** ''When the spring comes, the swallows will return.''
  
 
==Literature==
 
==Literature==

Revision as of 16:24, 9 September 2009

STUB


According to Huddleston and Pullum (2002), there are two primary tenses in English, 'present tense' and 'past tense' (also ‘present’ and ‘preterite’, respectively). Leech (1971) (as well as many others) also regard the grammaticalized means of expressing future time reference as tenses.

Present tense

Simple Present

The present tense in combination with the simple (non-progressive) aspect ('Simple Present') is used when the time of the situation coincides with the time of utterance. It occurs in the following contexts:

  • performative sentences
    • I congratulate you.
    • I hereby pronounce you man and wife.
  • running commentaries (esp. by sports commentators)
    • He takes the run-up, he takes off and he vaults six meters.
    • The referee blows the whistle and Ballack passes the ball to his teammate.
  • with verbs denoting states and processes (including habits) which occupy a longer period but include the present moment
    • I prepare food (every day).
    • Berlin is the capital of Germany.
  • with future time reference
    • The next high tide is at 4 o’ clock. (main clause)
  • in specific types of subordinate clauses
    • Please bring the washing in if it rains.

Present Progressive

The Present Progressive occurs when the time of the situation includes the moment of speech.

  • I am reading a book.

Past tense

The past tenses (Simple Past, Past Progressive) indicate that the time of orientation is located prior to the moment of utterance:

  • I ate a steak for dinner.
  • I promised to be back for lunch.

It can also be used in cases of 'modal remoteness':

  • I wish they lived nearby.
  • If he loved her, he’d change his job.

Finally, the past tense is used in backshifting (consecutio temporum):

  • He said that he was happy.

(cf. Huddleston & Pullum 2005: 44ff.; Comrie 1993: 36ff.)

The aspectual categories 'progressive' and 'non-progressive'/'simple' can combine relatively freely with the past tense and are interpreted in a largely compositional way.

Future tenses/Future time reference

The future tense is used when the time of situation (or the point of orientation) are located after the moment of utterance. There are several ways of expressing future time reference:

Will/shall + infinitive

  • prediction
    • Tomorrow’s weather will be cold and cloudy.
  • in conditional sentences
    • If you pull this lever, the roof will slide back.
  • 'prophetic' statements
    • In twenty years’ time, the average employee will work a twenty-five hour week.

Be going to' + infinitive

  • future fulfillment of a present intention or cause
    • He is going to score a goal.
  • What are you going to do today?

Present progressive with future time reference

  • future fulfillment of a present arrangement
    • I’m inviting them to my party.
    • We’re having fish for dinner.

Simple Present with future meaning

  • in specific types of subordinate clauses
    • When the spring comes, the swallows will return.

Literature

  • Huddleston, R. & G. Pullum (2002). The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language: Cambridtge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Comrie, B. (1985). Tense. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Leech, G. (1971). Meaning and the English Verb. Harlow: Pearson.