IV Past Actions

1) In narration of past events, so as to make them sound more vivid and closer to the reader/hearer (“historical present”). King Arthur mounts his horse and gallops into battle.

2) In speaking of an author’s writings:

Shakespeare uses a large number of metaphors.

1. in newspaper headlines:

Boy Saves Train. Avalanche Kills Five.

4)In a number of set patterns:

I hear you’re getting married.

NOTE the use of the Past Indefinite for politeness:

I wondered if you were free this evening. I thought you might like some flowers.

The Present Continuous Tense (Progressive)

1) It is used to denote:

I.

a) A temporary action in progress (going on at the moment of speaking or within a wider period)

• I’m standing near the window at the moment.

b) A temporary series of acts:

• I’m getting up early this week.

c) An action or state peculiar to sb at the moment of speaking, esp. with the verb to be:

• Don’t take any notice of him: he’s just being funny.

II.

A habitual action viewed as a continual process (emotional or literary use).

Found only with the adverbs always, ever, continually, constantly, etc. NOT used with never.

a) in emotional use:

• She’s always complaining about her neighbours.

b) in a literary style:

• The Neva is ever carrying its waters into the stormy Baltic.

III.

A future action

1. in simple sentences:

2. when the action is regarded as planned

• I’m leaving next week.

3. when the speaker expresses a strong determination NOT to do sth (in negative sentences)

• Who does she think she is? I’m not talking to her again!

B) in complex sentences: in clauses of time and condition (rarely) referring to the future

• While you are looking at these pictures I’ll fix something to eat.

IV.

An action referring to the immediate past:

• Hello, Jackie! Are you sleeping or eating or what?

NOTE:

1) In present-day English, some verbs traditionally regarded as stative, are found in Continuous tenses:

• Are you hearing me better now? I’m using another phone.

• I’m having to cook my own meals this week.

• Are you still needing that magazine?

The use of such link verbs as to feel and to look in Cont.tenses is common but regarded as informal:

• You’re looking swell, Dolly, I can tell, Dolly.

• I’m feeling fine, thanks.

The same is true of the expression I am looking forward /I look forward to hearing from you.

3) Some set expressions are used only in the Present Continuous:

• The children are killing themselves with laughter – they’ve just played a trick.

NOTE the use of Continuous forms for politeness:

Will you be going away at the weekend? I was thinking – would it be possible to borrow your car?

Билет №13 Tense and Aspect. Perfect and Perfect Continuous

Tense and Aspect from №12 +

(C) ESP

The Present Perfect Tense denotes:

1. an action that began in the past, was going on for some time and is still going on at the moment of speaking. This use can be called the Present Perfect Inclusive.

They’ve lived here (for) ten years.

I have known their family since 1999.

It is found with for, since, how long, always, now, for years, in years and since. For is sometimes dropped.

The Present Perfect Inclusive with for and since is the only use of the Present Perfect that seems to be stable. The other uses are variable.

NOTE. Already is not normally found with the PPI, unless it conveys a strong emotion (You’ll have to wait another 15 minutes. – What? I’ve been here an hour already! [cf. Russ. “i tak”])

If the speaker simply emphasizes the length of time, now can be used:

I know this area very well -- I’ve lived here ten years (now). [cf. Russ. “uzhe”].

The Present Perfect Inclusive is found

1. with stative verbs (i.e. those not normally used in the continuous form):

He has loved her ever since they were at school together.

2. with non-terminative verbs:

They have worked in the same factory since 1990. [the Present Perfect Continuous is also possible here]

3. in negative sentences:

He hasn’t shaved for days.

2. a completed action (strictly speaking, a past action) with relevance for the present. This use can be called the Present Perfect Exclusive.

I’ve made an appointment with the dentist (therefore, I feel rather jittery; I won’t be able to join you tomorrow; you don’t have to remind me to do so any more, etc.).

She has enrolled for this course ( therefore, she attends lectures every Monday; she is eligible for a particular grant, etc.).

It is often found with ever, never, lately, recently, of late, in recent years, over the last few years, just, yet, and already.

NOTES.

1. In American English, the Present Perfect Exclusive is often replaced with the Past Indefinite: I found a reference to this subject; It was recently announced that... I never really enjoyed skiing.

2. Note the difference between just (which goes with the Present Perfect, at least in BrE, and just now, which goes with the Past Indefinite):

They’ve just handed out the forms.

They handed out the forms just now.

3. When used in questions, already means ‘sooner than the speaker expected’; questions with already are in fact rhetorical: What? Have you done it already? You’re a fast worker, aren’t you? In neutral questions, only yet is used.

3. a future action (in clauses of time, to emphasize completion; mostly with non-terminative verbs)

When you’ve stayed here long enough, you will pick up the local dialect.

She’ll be able to play any tune by ear when/after she has heard it twice.

PATTERNS

It is years / It has been years since I saw a good musical.

I’ve known them since we’ve been students.

It’s / It’ll be the first (second, third, etc.) time I’ve tasted Chinese food.

The Present Perfect Continuous Inclusive:

I’ve been doing this for years.

The Present Perfect Continuous Exclusive:

Why is Dad so angry? – He’s been talking to my teachers.