In this course we are going to discuss the fundamental principles in tenses. The time concept, the doer of the action, action, verb, difference between them, non-action verb etc.
Lessons
Introduction to Tenses: Components: Verb, Action Verb, Stative Verb
Introduction to Tenses: Verb: Where is the border between Action and Stative Verbs?
The same verb may express both a state and an action. He smokes (state, he is in the state of being a smoking person) He smokes 2 cigarettes a day, which is still bad for his health (action verb, he performs process of smoking twice a day) I think, the main difference is if there …
Introduction to Tenses: Verb: Where is the border between Action and Stative Verbs? Read More »
Introduction to Tenses: Action vs Inaction
Can inaction take place? If inaction is no action, there isn’t an existence of such, so it can not take place, go on etc. Well, not quite so…. He never goes to grocery stores. In the sentence “He never goes to grocery stores,” is there an action? Well, he doesn’t go, so there is no …
Introduction to Tenses: Frequency of actions (/inactions and states)
These words are actually frequency adverbs and adverbial phrases Words describing frequency of actions (frequency adverbs) always, constantly, frequently, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never Phrases describing frequency of actions (adverbial frequency phrases) from time to time, every second, every minute, every day etc Words describing marginal frequencies of actions Marginal frequencies of actions: at maximum …
Introduction to Tenses: Frequency of actions (/inactions and states) Read More »
Introduction to Tenses: Time of actions (signal words)
Signal words describing time for future actions Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, tonight, in two seconds / minutes / days etc next + noun Next Tuesday / weekend / week / month / year / century next time in + noun In a second / minute / year; in an hour; in 2 years Signal …
Introduction to Tenses: Time of actions (signal words) Read More »
Introduction to Tenses: 5 Types of Sentences
There are five types of English sentences, classified by their purpose: Declarative Sentence Declarative sentence makes a statement, expresses opinion. It ends with a period “.” Interrogative Sentence Interrogative sentence expresses a question or a request in polite form. It uses a question mark “?” Imperative Sentence Imperative sentence expresses a command, demand, request, direction or instruction. We …
Introduction to Tenses: Declarative Sentence
It is the most common type. Declarative sentence makes a statement, expresses opinion. It usually ends with a period “.” A declarative sentence may be positive (affirmative) or negative. If it’s a regular positive sentence, it starts with the subject, then the predicate comes, and then the rest of the sentence. She is reading a …
Introduction to Tenses: Imperative Sentence
Imperative sentence expresses a command, demand, request, direction or instruction. We can think of other functions, however, they all fall into one of those I listed above. For example, advice or invitation. It is also known as a jussive or a directive. Join us on a 12-month journey to see them all. (invitation) Check out the best post-holiday sales …
Introduction to Tenses: Interrogative Sentence
An interrogative sentence is a sentence that asks a question. Normally, it ends with a question mark. In rare cases it can end with other marks: What is your name? Tell me you name. Tell me your name! By grammatical form we have 6 types of questions. Unlike other sources, I distinguish 6 types of …
Introduction to Tenses: Exclamatory Sentence
Exclamatory sentence expresses great emotion such as excitement, surprise, happiness, anger etc. It usually ends with an exclamation point “!” Exclamaroty sentence can be any sentence expressing emotion. You are so stupid! (declarative sentence with emotion) Are you crazy? (Interrogative sentence with emotion) Don’t be stupid! (Imperative sentence with emotion) I would call the above …
Introduction to Tenses: The Present
What is actually present, past, and future in linguistics? This topic, to my surprise is not widely covered. Lear more on Present Tenses!
Introduction to Tenses: The Future
The Future We need to ask 1 question to determine if we must use a future tense in English: Did action / state start? no He will come tomorrow. Did the action start? No. So, we use a future tense. In this case Future Simple. He did not come yesterday. Did the action start? No. …
Introduction to Tenses: The Past
The Past We need to ask 1question to determine if we can use a past tense: Action / state: Is the action / state present now or at the period of time which is still passing? no Let’s determine what is period of time which is still passing. Every day – meaning that tomorrow will …
Moment of speaking: Introduction to Tenses
Moment of speaking, also known as moment of speech, time of speaking, is a very important concept when studying languages, tenses in particular. Moment of speaking is a point in time when somebody is speaking. This point is always “live”, current time. This moment is always relative to time when an action / event takes …
Introduction to Tenses: Finished vs unfinished vs unspecified period of time
Today – yesterday, this year – last year, now – then, etc. Is it the same as frequency of actions or states? Come here to learn more…
Introduction to Tenses: Continuous Actions in Linguistics
Continuity of actions Continuity shows progression of actions or states. An action in progress is continuous. When we came, she was singing. (when we came, there was an action in progress) Compare: When (after) we came, she left When we came, there was no action in progress. Compare: When we came, she was leaving. (When …
Introduction to Tenses: Continuous Actions in Linguistics Read More »
Introduction to Tenses: Question Words
question word, interrogative word, WH question words, wh-words, interrogative pronouns What What What are you reading? What + noun What book(s) are you reading? What kind of book(s) are you reading? What color is the book that you are reading? What time are you coming? What time are you coming at? At what time are …