ASPECT

“We live, we experience”

We experience everything that happens under the sun. Events and situations are part of our experience; we experience them from different kinds of points of view (viewpoints). The expression of all our viewpoints is termed ASPECT.

Aspect is both grammatical and lexical; it is expressed in predicates, especially in verb inflections and collocations of verbs.

Conclusively, It is a grammatical category associated with verbs that expresses a temporal view of the event or state expressed by the verb.

Along with the viewpoint that we express, aspect also depends on the nature of the predicate used, a lexical matter: differences of aspect are communicated in the semantic features of different predicates.

Let’s analyze the following sentences:1. She learned the lesson. (from not knowing to

knowing)2. She knew the lesson. (a situation without

commenting on its boundaries)

Generic and Specific PredicatesTo understand this, you may review chapter 7 regarding generic and specific references. The aspect is primarily in the predicates of sentences, but there are certain similarities.

Generic aspect contains statements about thins that we don’t expect to change.

On the other hand, specific aspect is about temporary states; it is bounded.

Take a look at these sentences

1. Two and two make four.

2. Rabbits are rodents

3. Gregory is here.

4. I have a headache.

Sentences 1 and 2 contain generic aspect. On the other hand, sentences 3 and 4 contain specific aspect.

Stative Predicates and Dynamic Predicates

Stative predicate is typically durative in aspect.

Examples:

- We waited.

- The children were hungry.

- Snow lay on the ground.

- Ellen needed a dictionary.

The following are activity sentences and have dynamic predicates.

1. Something moved.

2. The sun came up.

3. The boat drifted along.

4. They discussed the plan.

Stative predication relates a situation that does not change during the time when the predication is valid.

The following are stative verbs: abhor, adore, desire, enjoy, envy, fear, hate, like, long for, mind, prefer, regret, want, wish.

Dynamic verbs include those that express some form of physical movement: come, float, go, hop, jump, pound, rotate, run, swim, turn, vibrate, walk.

Exercises:

1. I climbed up the peak of the mountain to take pictures for documentation.

2. I fear the upcoming final exam.

3. She wishes to be a boy.

4. The boats float.

5. I jumped like a kangaroo upon hearing my dad’s arrival.

6. He remains silent.

Punctual and Durative Aspect

Punctual aspect contains momentary actions or change of state. Durative aspect contains unchanging state or continuing activity.

Examples:

They sat down in the last row. (Punctual)

They were sitting in the last row. (Durative)

They sat in the last row every time they went to the theater. (Habitual Aspect)

Note that a number of verbs occur in both punctual and durative uses. They sometimes referred to as verbs of mental activity.1. He felt miserable about what he had seen.2. Suddenly she knew just what she had to do.3. I remembered what she had told me.4. She knew the answer yesterday but today she

can’t think of it.

Sentences 1 & 2 express an event, the act of coming into a state of remembering, feeling, knowing. They express ingressive aspect.(inchoative aspect). Sentences 3 & 4 tell of a state in existence.

Let’s analyze the following sentences:

1. Albert kicked a ball and the ball struck a post.

2. Jane arrived at the office a few minutes after nine.

3. They leave tomorrow.

4. The plane lands at 8.40

5. Mr. Edwards retires in May.

6. The students debated about the new school rules.

7. I remembered that I had an appointment at two.

8. He felt a sharp pain in the shoulder.

9. He argued with his teacher.