Lecture 11Lecture 11

Tense and Aspect (I)Tense and Aspect (I)

Exercises Exercises

11.1 Uses of the simple present11.1 Uses of the simple present

11.2 Uses of the simple past 11.2 Uses of the simple past

11.3 Uses of the present 11.3 Uses of the present

progressive progressive

11.4 Uses of the past progressive11.4 Uses of the past progressive

1. You indulge your son so much that yo1. You indulge your son so much that you u him harm. him harm.

A. are doing B. have done A. are doing B. have done

C. will have done D. are going to doC. will have done D. are going to do

2. The film 2. The film ______ how a college student how a college student __________ a criminal. a criminal.

A. shows… is becoming A. shows… is becoming

B. shows…will become B. shows…will become

C. will show…will become C. will show…will become

D. shows… becomesD. shows… becomes

3. Our team_3. Our team_______ every match so far this every match so far this year, but we still have two more games year, but we still have two more games to play.to play.

A. was winning B. has won A. was winning B. has won

C. won D. had wonC. won D. had won

4. The company ____ a rise in salary for 4. The company ____ a rise in salary for ages, but nothing has happened yet.ages, but nothing has happened yet.

A. has been promising A. has been promising

B. was promising B. was promising

C. promised C. promised

D. was promisedD. was promised

5. I 5. I ________ a radio talk on NBA when my s a radio talk on NBA when my sister came home and started playing heister came home and started playing her violin.r violin.

A. listened to B. was hearing A. listened to B. was hearing

C. was listening to D. have heardC. was listening to D. have heard

ADBACADBAC

6. 6. The moment he mailed the letter, he wThe moment he mailed the letter, he was soorry that he ____it.as soorry that he ____it.

A. wrote B. had been writing A. wrote B. had been writing

C. had written D. was writingC. had written D. was writing

7. I am sorry to have begun the meeting b7. I am sorry to have begun the meeting before you came. I thought _____.efore you came. I thought _____.

A. you did not come A. you did not come

B. you should not come B. you should not come

C. you were not coming C. you were not coming

D. you are not comingD. you are not coming

8. While I ____ my glasses, I ____ a 8. While I ____ my glasses, I ____ a pen.pen.

A. was finding; found A. was finding; found

B. was looking for; foundB. was looking for; found

C. was looking for; looked forC. was looking for; looked for

D. found; foundD. found; found

9. Jack ____ her but he changed his 9. Jack ____ her but he changed his mind.mind.

A. would be called B. will call A. would be called B. will call

C. was calling D. was going to callC. was calling D. was going to call

10. They were friends sharing weal a10. They were friends sharing weal and foe, for they ____ each other’s lifnd foe, for they ____ each other’s life in a battle.e in a battle.

A. were saved B. have saved A. were saved B. have saved

C. had been saved D. had savedC. had been saved D. had saved

CCBDDCCBDD

11.1 Uses of the simple present 11.1 Uses of the simple present

The simple present narrates complete The simple present narrates complete

events that will not continue to events that will not continue to

change or develop.change or develop.

It is not marked for the progressive or It is not marked for the progressive or

the perfective aspect, denoting the the perfective aspect, denoting the

following meanings:following meanings:

1) Timeless present1) Timeless present

It is often found in the expressionIt is often found in the expression

of eternal truths and proverbs, as of eternal truths and proverbs, as

well as in scientific, mathematical, well as in scientific, mathematical,

geographical and other statements geographical and other statements

made for all time. This use mostlymade for all time. This use mostly

applies to stative verbs.applies to stative verbs. e.g. Honesty is the best policy.e.g. Honesty is the best policy.

Translate the following proverbs:Translate the following proverbs: 入乡随俗。入乡随俗。 心急水不沸。心急水不沸。 吠犬不咬人。吠犬不咬人。 兔子不吃窝边草。兔子不吃窝边草。 坏事传千里坏事传千里 .. 欲速则不达。 欲速则不达。

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

A watched pot never boils. A watched pot never boils.

A barking dog never bites. A barking dog never bites.

No rabbit eats the grass near its own No rabbit eats the grass near its own

burrow. burrow.

Bad news travels fast. Bad news travels fast.

Haste makes waste.Haste makes waste.

2) Habitual present2) Habitual present This use usually is typically associated This use usually is typically associated

with dynamic verb.with dynamic verb. e.g. Father doesn’t smoke.e.g. Father doesn’t smoke. Percy often goes to his office by underPercy often goes to his office by under

ground.ground.

3) Momentary and instantaneous prese3) Momentary and instantaneous present nt

A. The simple present can also be used to A. The simple present can also be used to denote a denote a momentary phenomenonmomentary phenomenon that e that exists at the time of speaking. This phenxists at the time of speaking. This phenomenon usually has some duration and omenon usually has some duration and therefore is mostly associated with statitherefore is mostly associated with stative verbs. ve verbs.

e.g. What do you think, Jane?e.g. What do you think, Jane?

B. The B. The instantaneous presentinstantaneous present implies that implies that the event takes place singly and once-fothe event takes place singly and once-for-all within the moment of speaking. It r-all within the moment of speaking. It has little or no duration and therefore is has little or no duration and therefore is confined to dynamic verbs denoting shoconfined to dynamic verbs denoting short actions.rt actions.

e.g. I declare the meeting opene.g. I declare the meeting open

This use is rather restricted, occurring This use is rather restricted, occurring

normally in certain speech situations suchnormally in certain speech situations such

as radio and television commentaries ofas radio and television commentaries of

fast-moving sports, the running fast-moving sports, the running commentary of conjurors and commentary of conjurors and demonstrators, and some formal demonstrators, and some formal declarations.declarations.

4) Simple present referring to the futur4) Simple present referring to the futuree: :

This use is limited to future events conThis use is limited to future events conceived of as “ceived of as “certaincertain”, either because th”, either because they are determined in advance by calendey are determined in advance by calendar or timetable, or because they are part ar or timetable, or because they are part of a plan of a plan

or an arrangement thought of as unalteor an arrangement thought of as unalterable. Usually there is one time adverbrable. Usually there is one time adverbial denoting the future time. ial denoting the future time.

e.g. I have a meeting e.g. I have a meeting next Wednnext Wednesdayesday at that time. at that time.

There are some subclauses used for futurThere are some subclauses used for future:e:

a) I hope/ I bet + that + present tense e.a) I hope/ I bet + that + present tense e.g. I hope you have a good time.g. I hope you have a good time.

b) see (to it)/make sure /make certain + b) see (to it)/make sure /make certain + that-clause e.g. I’ll see to it you don’t gthat-clause e.g. I’ll see to it you don’t get lost.et lost.

c) if/when + conditional/temporal clausc) if/when + conditional/temporal clauses es

e.g. If it is fine tomorrow, we will go to e.g. If it is fine tomorrow, we will go to the countryside.the countryside.

a.Besides temporal clauses and a.Besides temporal clauses and

conditional clauses, adverbial conditional clauses, adverbial

clauses of concession, comparison clauses of concession, comparison

usually use the simple present to usually use the simple present to

denote future.denote future.

e.g. Whatever they say, I won’t pay.e.g. Whatever they say, I won’t pay. Next time I’ll do as he says. Next time I’ll do as he says. The harder you exercise, the better The harder you exercise, the better

you’ll feel.you’ll feel.

b. In addition, such nominal clauses as “tb. In addition, such nominal clauses as “that” clause, “what” clause can also use hat” clause, “what” clause can also use the simple present to denote future.the simple present to denote future.

e.g. In a few minutes I’ll ask him what e.g. In a few minutes I’ll ask him what he wants tomorrow.he wants tomorrow.

c. “Take care that” is distinguished from c. “Take care that” is distinguished from “hope that, bet that, see (to it) that”, in “hope that, bet that, see (to it) that”, in that it is always followed by the simplthat it is always followed by the simple present. e present.

e.g. Take care that she doesn’t fall.e.g. Take care that she doesn’t fall.

d. “When” can introduce adverbial clausd. “When” can introduce adverbial clause of time and nominal clauses (subjecte of time and nominal clauses (subjective clauses, objective clauses). Verbs iive clauses, objective clauses). Verbs in the adverbial clauses must use the sin the adverbial clauses must use the simple present instead of the future time.mple present instead of the future time.

e.g. When he comes, I tell him to fetch e.g. When he comes, I tell him to fetch the police.the police.

So do verbs in conditional clauses.So do verbs in conditional clauses. e.g. I shall tell him if he comes.e.g. I shall tell him if he comes.

However, if “when” heads a nominal However, if “when” heads a nominal

clauses, it depends on the specific contexclauses, it depends on the specific context. t.

e.g. Can you tell me when the bank e.g. Can you tell me when the bank opens?opens?

When she’ll be back depends much When she’ll be back depends much on the weather.on the weather.

5) Simple present referring to the p5) Simple present referring to the pastast

This use is usually found with “comThis use is usually found with “communication verbs” such as tell, say, hmunication verbs” such as tell, say, hear, learn, write to express the presenear, learn, write to express the present effect of information received in the t effect of information received in the past. past.

e.g. I hear poor old Mrs. Smith has loe.g. I hear poor old Mrs. Smith has lost her son.st her son.

11.2 Uses of the simple past 11.2 Uses of the simple past The simple past also narrates complete fThe simple past also narrates complete f

acts/events that have already finished, bacts/events that have already finished, but the core meaning of the sentence has ut the core meaning of the sentence has a sense of distance.a sense of distance.

(time, concepts, social distance)(time, concepts, social distance)

The simple past is not marked for the prThe simple past is not marked for the progressive or the perfective aspect, denotogressive or the perfective aspect, denoting the following meanings:ing the following meanings:

1) Past event and past habit1) Past event and past habit The basic use is to denote The basic use is to denote a single evena single even

t or statet or state that happened or existed at a d that happened or existed at a difinite point or period of time in the pasifinite point or period of time in the past.This is what we call the t.This is what we call the event/state paevent/state past.st.

e.g. He left ten minutes ago.e.g. He left ten minutes ago.

It can also be used to denote a habitual It can also be used to denote a habitual or recurrent action in the past, known aor recurrent action in the past, known as the s the habitual pasthabitual past. Neither of the uses . Neither of the uses are connected with the present moment.are connected with the present moment.

e.g. He worked in a bank all his life.e.g. He worked in a bank all his life.

NOTE:NOTE: Neither the event/state past Neither the event/state past

nor the habitual past has any nor the habitual past has any

connection with the present moment,connection with the present moment,

so what is denoted by the simple past so what is denoted by the simple past

must be something no longer existent atmust be something no longer existent at

the moment of speaking.the moment of speaking.

e.g. His father was an English teacher ae.g. His father was an English teacher all his life . –he is now dead.ll his life . –he is now dead.

His father has been an English teacheHis father has been an English teacher all his life. – He is still alive.r all his life. – He is still alive.

2) Attitudinal and hypothetical past2) Attitudinal and hypothetical past

A.In specific contexts, the simple past caA.In specific contexts, the simple past can denote the present or the future time. n denote the present or the future time. One is associated with the present time One is associated with the present time in independent clauses expressing a quin independent clauses expressing a question, request or suggestion, known as estion, request or suggestion, known as the the attitudinal pastattitudinal past. .

Its effect is to make the question, request Its effect is to make the question, request or suggestion less direct, implying a politor suggestion less direct, implying a polite, somewhat tentative attitude on the part e, somewhat tentative attitude on the part of the speaker.of the speaker.

e.g. I wondered if you could give me some.g. I wondered if you could give me some help.e help.

B. The other is B. The other is hypothetical pasthypothetical past, referring , referring not to a fact but to a non-fact, and is typicnot to a fact but to a non-fact, and is typically found in subjunctive clauses.ally found in subjunctive clauses.

e.g. It’s time you had a holiday.e.g. It’s time you had a holiday.

Just like the simple present, the simple Just like the simple present, the simple past can also denote past, present or futpast can also denote past, present or future eternal truth, which is called ure eternal truth, which is called 普遍普遍过去时过去时 (generic preterite tense)(generic preterite tense) 或中或中性过去式性过去式 (neutral preterite tense)(neutral preterite tense)

e.g. Fingers were made before forks.e.g. Fingers were made before forks. God made the country and man made tGod made the country and man made t

he town.he town. Faint heart never won fair lady.Faint heart never won fair lady. The course of true love never did run sThe course of true love never did run s

mooth.mooth.

Some people don’t use the simple past:Some people don’t use the simple past: Care killed the cat. Care killed the cat. 忧伤会伤身。忧伤会伤身。 Hang sorrow! Care will kill the cat. AnHang sorrow! Care will kill the cat. An

d therefore let’s be merry. d therefore let’s be merry.

11.3 Uses of the present progressive 11.3 Uses of the present progressive

The progressive aspectThe progressive aspect denotes denotes

incomplete, unfinished, or temporary incomplete, unfinished, or temporary

state, that is, the event concerned is a state, that is, the event concerned is a

part of the whole and can develop further. part of the whole and can develop further.

1) Denoting an action in progress at the 1) Denoting an action in progress at the moment of speakingmoment of speaking

It is usually used with dynamic verbs. It is usually used with dynamic verbs. The differences between the simple preThe differences between the simple pre

sent and the present progressive referrinsent and the present progressive referring to present time are that g to present time are that

A. the former carries a permanent meaninA. the former carries a permanent meaning and the latter a temporary meaning.g and the latter a temporary meaning.

e.g. He lives with his parents.(permanee.g. He lives with his parents.(permanent residence --because it costs him too nt residence --because it costs him too much to live alone)much to live alone)

He is livng with his parents. (temporaHe is livng with his parents. (temporary residence –until he gets a better job )ry residence –until he gets a better job )

B. an action vs. a habitB. an action vs. a habit e.g. Why are you wearing glasses? (pree.g. Why are you wearing glasses? (pre

sent/at this moment)sent/at this moment) Why do you wear glasses?(habitual)Why do you wear glasses?(habitual)

C. specific event vs. general situationC. specific event vs. general situation e.g. what are you doing for Thanksgivie.g. what are you doing for Thanksgivi

ng? (a specific holiday– the forthcoming? (a specific holiday– the forthcoming)ng)

What do you do for Thanksgiving? What do you do for Thanksgiving? (the holiday in each year)(the holiday in each year)

D. action vs. stateD. action vs. state e.g. I am thinking about the answer.e.g. I am thinking about the answer. I think it is 144.I think it is 144.

2) Denoting an action in progress at a p2) Denoting an action in progress at a period of time including the present eriod of time including the present

Here it can express an action that is going Here it can express an action that is going on over a period of time including the preon over a period of time including the present but not necessarily at the moment of sent but not necessarily at the moment of speaking, speaking,

e.g. He is working in a chemical factory te.g. He is working in a chemical factory these days. hese days.

When accompanied by adverbial of frWhen accompanied by adverbial of frequency such as always, continually, cequency such as always, continually, constantly or forever often imparts an eonstantly or forever often imparts an emotional coloring, often of annoyance motional coloring, often of annoyance or disapproval.or disapproval.

e.g. She is constantly complaining aboe.g. She is constantly complaining about the house.ut the house.

3) Denoting a future happening acco3) Denoting a future happening according to a definite plan or arrangemerding to a definite plan or arrangementnt

The present progressive used to refer to The present progressive used to refer to the future, more often than not the near the future, more often than not the near rather than distant future, in connection rather than distant future, in connection with a definite plan, arrangement or prwith a definite plan, arrangement or program, usually occurs in situations witogram, usually occurs in situations with obvious future reference.h obvious future reference.

e.g. I’m going to Qingdao for the sume.g. I’m going to Qingdao for the summer holiday.mer holiday.

The present progressive denoting futuriThe present progressive denoting futurity also occurs in temporal and conditioty also occurs in temporal and conditional clauses, on condition that there is funal clauses, on condition that there is future reference in the main clauseture reference in the main clause

e.g. If you are standing at the corner, I’e.g. If you are standing at the corner, I’ll give you a lift.ll give you a lift.

4) Denoting other meanings4) Denoting other meanings a) to denote an action in the immediate a) to denote an action in the immediate

past, which is generally expressed by copast, which is generally expressed by communication verbs such as tell, talk, say,mmunication verbs such as tell, talk, say, exaggerate. exaggerate.

e.g. I don’t know what you are talking ae.g. I don’t know what you are talking about.bout.

b) It can be used to make even politer reb) It can be used to make even politer requests than does the attitudinal past with quests than does the attitudinal past with such few examples as hope, wondersuch few examples as hope, wonder

e.g. I’m hoping you’ll give us some advie.g. I’m hoping you’ll give us some advice.ce.

11.4 Uses of the past progressive11.4 Uses of the past progressive

1) Denoting an action in progress at a d1) Denoting an action in progress at a definite point or period of past time efinite point or period of past time

This is the most common use. Here the This is the most common use. Here the past time reference is usually indicated past time reference is usually indicated by a temporal adverbial or implied by tby a temporal adverbial or implied by the context. he context.

e.g. They were building a dam last yee.g. They were building a dam last year.ar.

2) Denoting a past habitual action2) Denoting a past habitual action a) It is most clearly characterized by its a) It is most clearly characterized by its

temporariness, in contrast with the past temporariness, in contrast with the past habit denoted by the simple past.habit denoted by the simple past.

e.g. George was getting up at five evere.g. George was getting up at five every day that week.y day that week.

b) It can collocate with such adverbials b) It can collocate with such adverbials of frequency as always, constantly, conof frequency as always, constantly, continually, forever, to express emotional ftinually, forever, to express emotional feelings, especially feelings of annoyaneelings, especially feelings of annoyance or disapproval on the part of the spece or disapproval on the part of the speaker.aker.

e.g. My brother was always losing his e.g. My brother was always losing his keys.keys.

3) Denoting futurity in the past 3) Denoting futurity in the past It can be used to denote a future action It can be used to denote a future action

in the past according to a definite plan in the past according to a definite plan or arrangement. This use is also found or arrangement. This use is also found in some adverbial clauses of time or cin some adverbial clauses of time or condition.ondition.

e.g. They were leaving a few days latee.g. They were leaving a few days later.r.

4) Making politer requests and express 4) Making politer requests and express hypothetical meanings hypothetical meanings

To express hypothetical meanings, the To express hypothetical meanings, the past progressive only occurs in certain past progressive only occurs in certain conditional clauses and in subclauses aconditional clauses and in subclauses after “I wish”, “I’d rather”, “it’s time”.fter “I wish”, “I’d rather”, “it’s time”.

e.g. I’d rather you were going at once.e.g. I’d rather you were going at once.

5) Contrasts between the past progre5) Contrasts between the past progressive and the simple past ssive and the simple past

a) To denote an action in completion, a) To denote an action in completion, we use the simple past; to denote an awe use the simple past; to denote an action in progress, we use the past proction in progress, we use the past progressive.gressive.

e.g. I was reading a novel yesterday.e.g. I was reading a novel yesterday. I read a novel yesterday.I read a novel yesterday.

b) To state a mere past fact, we use the b) To state a mere past fact, we use the simple past; to lay emphasis on the durasimple past; to lay emphasis on the duration of the action, we use the past progrtion of the action, we use the past progressive.essive.

e.g. It rained/was raining all night.e.g. It rained/was raining all night. c) When two actions co-occur in a sentec) When two actions co-occur in a sente

nce, the action of shorter duration is to nce, the action of shorter duration is to be denoted by the simple past, while thabe denoted by the simple past, while that of longer duration by the past progresst of longer duration by the past progressive.ive.

e.g. I broke a glass while I was cooking the.g. I broke a glass while I was cooking the dinner.e dinner.

d) In colloquial speech, the past progred) In colloquial speech, the past progressive is sometimes used to show what ossive is sometimes used to show what one says is casual, unimportant and aimlne says is casual, unimportant and aimless, whereas the use of the simple past ess, whereas the use of the simple past means differently. means differently.

e.g. I was talking to Margaret the other e.g. I was talking to Margaret the other day.day.

I talked to Margaret the other day.I talked to Margaret the other day.

e) Compare the time sequence of the te) Compare the time sequence of the two actions in the following sentences.wo actions in the following sentences.

e.g. When we arrived, she was making e.g. When we arrived, she was making some fresh coffee.some fresh coffee.

When we arrived, she made some fresWhen we arrived, she made some fresh coffee.h coffee.

In the first sentence, the action of makIn the first sentence, the action of making coffee was already ing coffee was already in progressin progress wh when we arrived, whereas in the second sen we arrived, whereas in the second sentence, the action of making coffee entence, the action of making coffee ffollowed our arrival in time sequence.ollowed our arrival in time sequence.