Simple and Progressive Aspect

The English Verb System : Aspect: 

The English Verb System : Aspect Aspect allows us to indicate what type of event we are talking about :permanent, temporary, repeated, complete, on-going, anterior ….

Aspect in English: 

Aspect in English Simple Aspect : 1st and 2nd form verbs Progressive Aspect : Be + Ving Perfect Aspect : Have + 3rd form verb All verb forms have both tense and aspect Types of aspect can be combined: Progressive = Be + Ving Perfect = Have + 3rd form Have been doing

Simple Aspect: 

Simple Aspect Richards The Context of Language Teaching CUP Ch 11 It depicts an event as whole, as complete, as seen unfolding from beginning to end, or as unchanging I live in Milan I have a shower every morning Two and two makes four I name this ship “The Queen Eleanor” I read “War and Peace” yesterday I saw an accident …

Progressive Aspect: 

Progressive Aspect Richards (op cit) … expresses actions as incomplete, changing, developing Quirk et al A Communicative Grammar of English Longman … indicates temporariness, action in progress

Progressive Aspect: 

Progressive Aspect He’s having a shower We’re making progress in the Asian markets I’m naming my next cat Fluffypuss I’m leaving for Greece on Tuesday I was reading “War and Peace” yesterday... … while I was waiting for the bus

Simple or progressive?Grammar is meaning: 

Simple or progressive? Grammar is meaning I live in Milan / I’m living in Milan I feel ill / I’m feeling ill She looks over her shoulder and Trushenko is gaining on her He always leaves the door open /He’s always leaving the door open. I leave for Greece on Thursday / I’m leaving for Greece on Tuesday

Don’t confuse notion and function …: 

Don’t confuse notion and function … He’s always leaving the door open. My daughter has a wonderful job. She’s a journalist and she’s always travelling, she’s always meeting interesting people …

Grammar is meaning …: 

Grammar is meaning … The phone was ringing as I left the house. The phone rang as I left the house. The phone rang as I was leaving the house. The phone was ringing as I was leaving the house.

Stative and Dynamic Uses of Verbs: 

Stative and Dynamic Uses of Verbs I want to talk to you. I’ve been wanting to talk to you for ages. And he doesn’t like it one bit. … and he isn’t liking it one bit. I remember the days when … …and constantly looks as if he's remembering the days when I own a bike … More and more people are owning bikes OK, I understand .. The course was difficult at first, but I’m understanding more now. That smells good! That’s smelling good!

Grammar is meaning …: 

Grammar is meaning … It is not verbs which are stative or dynamic but situations (Richards) Or rather … Speakers will interpret situations as being stative or dynamic, and use verbs accordingly