Another extract from our Delta Module One Course today - looking at the area of progressive and perfect aspect.
Pre-ViewingTasks
Before you watch the presentations, make notes on the following questions, noting those where you're not sure of the answers.
1. TherearethreetypesofaspectinEnglish:simple,progressive (also called continuous)andperfect. Whatform doeseach take?
a) Simpleaspect b) Progressiveaspect c) Perfectaspect
2. Whatdoesaspectexpress?What concepts are expressed by…
a) Simple aspect b) Progressive aspect c) Perfect aspect
3. Whatever definition you chose for simple and progressive aspect, check how wellit explainseachofthe following examples:
I live in Milan / I'm living in Milan
I have a shower every morning / He's having a shower
I name this ship “The Queen Eleanor” / I'm naming my new cat Fluffypuss
I leave for Greece on Tuesday / I'm leaving for Greece on Tuesday
4. Howwouldyouexplainthedifferencebetweenthefollowing?Isthereany?
5. How would you explain the difference between “stative” and “dynamic” verbs? Does your explanationmatchwith theseexamples?
- Iwant totalktoyou. / I’vebeenwantingtotalktoyou forages.
- Andhedoesn’tlikeitonebit./…andheisn’tlikingitone bit.
- Iremember when …/ …he constantly looks as if he's remembering when
- I ownabike… /Moreandmorepeople areowningbikes these days...
- OK,Iunderstand.. /Thecoursewasdifficultatfirst,but I’m understandingmorenow.
- Thatsmellsgood! /That’ssmellinggood!
Now watch the two parts of the presentation, where these questions are discussed.
Simple and Continuous Aspect (approx. 20 mins) Perfect Aspect (approx 23 mins)
Follow Up Reading