The Tense and Aspect System Chapter 7, Part 8 ENGLISH 5050: English Syntax and Morphology Robert F. van Trieste, Ph.D. All quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from chapter 7 of The Grammar Book, 2nd edition.
Present Tense Perfect & Progressive Aspects: 1 A situation or habit that began in the past... and that continues up to the present (and possibly into the future): – Burt has been going out with Alice. An action in progress [but not necessarily at the moment of speaking/writing] that is not yet completed: – I have been reading that book. – [I am reading that book.]
Present Tense Perfect & Progressive Aspects: 2 A state that changes over time: – The students have been getting better and better. – [The students are getting better and better.] An evaluative comment [or accusation] on something observed over time triggered by current evidence: – You've been drinking again!
Past Tense Perfect & Progressive Aspects: 1 An action or habit taking place over a period of time in the past prior to some other past event or time: – Carol had been working hard, so her doctor told her to take a vacation. – She had been trying to finish her degree that year. A past action in progress that was interrupted by a more recent past action: – We had been planning to vacation in Maine, but changed our minds after receiving the brochure on Nova Scotia. – [We were planning to vacation in Maine, but changed our minds after receiving the brochure on Nova Scotia. – We had planned to vacation in Maine, but changed our minds after receiving the brochure on Nova Scotia.]
Past Tense Perfect & Progressive Aspects: 2 An ongoing past action or state that becomes satisfied by some other event: – I had been wanting to see that play, so I was pleased when I won the tickets.
“Future” Tense Perfect & Progressive Aspects Durative or habitual action that is taking place in the present and that will continue into the future up until or through a specific future time: – On Christmas Eve we will have been living in the same house for 20 years. – [On Christmas Eve we will have lived in the same house for 20 years.] – He will have been keeping a journal for 10 years next month.
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