Aspect in the English language: a comparative analysis of form and meaning in traditional descriptive grammars

Adriana Lessa,Maria Das Graças Salgado

doi:10.1590/1678-460x2019350401

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aspect in the English language has been described through different categories and terminologies, which might lead teachers and students into some misunderstandings. Considering the importance of understanding the systematic representation of this concept in learning a foreign language, we review and compare the various ways aspect is presented in five of the most traditional descriptive English grammar books. We examined whether aspect is explicitly approached; how it is defined; categorized and whether the types of aspect are clearly explained in terms of meaning. Based on that, we contrasted their classification and terminology with an alternative approach, highlighting ambiguities and common grounds.

Highlights

Time can be considered a universal concept related to the way situations are measured or perceived
Bearing in mind the importance of understanding the systematic representation of tense and aspect to the learning of a foreign language, this article aims to review and compare the various ways aspect is presented in some English grammar books
We contrast the categorization offered by traditional descriptive grammar books with an alternative approach represented by studies primarily concerned with meaning

Summary

Introduction

Time can be considered a universal concept related to the way situations are measured or perceived. Due to its universal characteristic, this concept is linguistically represented worldwide This linguistic representation may vary – from lexical to grammatical words, morphemes and particles –, many spoken languages express time recurring to tense and aspect markers, which play a major role in foreign language teaching and learning. Bearing in mind the importance of understanding the systematic representation of tense and aspect to the learning of a foreign language, this article aims to review and compare the various ways aspect is presented in some English grammar books. This analysis is justified by the recognition of concurrent classes and terminology in the description of this linguistic phenomenon. In order to compare more accurately the notions of aspect presented by the authors, we examine in table I: (a) whether aspect is explicitly approached; (b) how it is defined; (c) how it is categorized and (d) whether the types of aspect are clearly explained in terms of meaning

Are the types of aspect clearly explained in terms of meaning?

Type BC

PERFECT ASPECT

The progressive aspect primarily

João comia aqui

Conclusion