Simple Present
What is the habitual use of the simple present?
"... a series of individual events which as a whole make up
a state stretching back into the past and forward into the future."
What does the Simple Past tense usually describe?
A happening that takes place before the present moment and/or the speaker has a definite time in mind.
Not only eternal truths, but also proverbs are expressesd through the simple present. Give an example.
Give an example of a sentence using the Simple Present tense to express a state.
E.g.: Water is a liquid.
What do eternal truths belong to; the state-use or the event-use of the simple present?
state-use
Can the simple past express the future?
No, but it can be used narratively in a future setting.
What is a better term for "present tense", since it does not strictly refer to the present?
"Non-past tense"
Write a sentence that shows the Simple Present tense used for a habitual action.
E.g.: (Everyday) i walk to the train station.
Define the term "historic present" and provide an example sentence.
Tool for story tellers. Which allows past happenings to be protryed as if they are currently happening.
E.g.: Right then a letter arrives for me, even though I did not expect one.Combo !!!
How does the Simple Past tense express sequences of past events? (explain with an example)
"...the first verb can refer to a later time than the second verb, if
this is overtly signalled by a conjunction or adverbial expression, or made clear by
our knowledge of history..."
E.g.: I came home right after the plumber left.
Are the state and event use grammatical or semantic terms?
rather semantic
Explain the difference between a 'state verb' and an 'event verb' with examples.
A state verb is usually asociated with/ creates a state, whilst an event verb constituates an action/ something that has a duration.
E.g.: state - be, have, know, want, mean, need, seem, like, include, believe, live,
stand, consider, expect, require, continue, remain, understand, involve,
hope, support, stay, contain.
event - do, say, get, make, go, take, come, give, find, tell, put, become, leave,
ask, show, call, provide, turn, begin, bring, start, write, set, pay, meet,
happen, offer, lose, open, reach, build, return.
Combo!!!!
What is the 'futurate present'? Write a sentence using it.
Futurate present refers to events regarded as already planned or predetermined.
Name 4 uses of the simple past.
event use; habitual past; hypothetical meaning; politeness
Describe the difference of "I am opening the gate." and "I open the gate." Also name plausible scenarios that hightlight this difference.
e.g.: Opening the gate for your cattle.
(more theatrical): I am a ringleader, i open the gate and a lion comes through.Combo !!!!
What is the 'futurate present'? Write a sentence using it.
The train leaves at 8 pm.
When might the simple present be used to express the past?
historic present; oral narrative ("he says: ...."); with verbs of communication; cover information which belongs to the past (discussing artists work)
In which clause types can the simple past be used, to express the hypothetical meaning?
dependant and subordinate
Explain how different tenses are used in narrative.
historic present, oral narrative - simple present referring to past and future
commentary/ event use - "instantaneous" present
Combo !!!
How does the Simple Past tense express sequences of past events? (explain with an example)
"...the first verb can refer to a later time than the second verb, if
this is overtly signalled by a conjunction or adverbial expression, or made clear by
our knowledge of history..."
E.g.: I came home right after the plumber left.