This document discusses linguistic aspect, which expresses a temporal viewpoint of an event or state through verb inflections and collocations. Aspect can be grammatical, expressed in verb forms, or lexical, communicated by verb semantics. It analyzes sentences using predicates that are generic/nongeneric, stative/dynamic, punctual/durative, or habitual. Stative predicates relate unchanging situations while dynamic ones express physical movement. Punctual aspect involves momentary actions while durative involves continuing states. Verbs can be used punctually or duratively and sometimes express ingressive aspect by indicating a change of state.

1. ASPECT

2. “We live, we experience”
We experience everything that happens
under the sun. Events and situations are
part of our experience; we experience them
from different kinds of points of view
(viewpoints). The expression of all our
viewpoints is termed ASPECT.

3. Aspect is both grammatical and lexical; it is
expressed in predicates, especially in verb
inflections and collocations of verbs.
Conclusively, It is a grammatical category
associated with verbs that expresses a temporal
view of the event or state expressed by the verb.

4. Along with the viewpoint that we express, aspect
also depends on the nature of the predicate
used, a lexical matter: differences of aspect are
communicated in the semantic features of
different predicates.
Let’s analyze the following sentences:
1. She learned the lesson. (from not knowing to
knowing)
2. She knew the lesson. (a situation without
commenting on its boundaries)

5. Generic and Specific
Predicates
To understand this, you may review chapter 7
regarding generic and specific references. The
aspect is primarily in the predicates of
sentences, but there are certain similarities.

6. Generic aspect contains statements about
thins that we don’t expect to change.
On the other hand, specific aspect is about
temporary states; it is bounded.

7. Take a look at these sentences
1. Two and two make four.
2. Rabbits are rodents
3. Gregory is here.
4. I have a headache.
Sentences 1 and 2 contain generic aspect.
On the other hand, sentences 3 and 4
contain specific aspect.

8. Stative Predicates and Dynamic
Predicates
Stative predicate is typically durative in aspect.
Examples:
-We waited.
- The children were hungry.
- Snow lay on the ground.
- Ellen needed a dictionary.

9. The following are activity sentences and have
dynamic predicates.
1. Something moved.
2. The sun came up.
3. The boat drifted along.
4. They discussed the plan.

10. Stative predication relates a situation that does
not change during the time when the
predication is valid.
The following are stative verbs: abhor, adore,
desire, enjoy, envy, fear, hate, like, long for,
mind, prefer, regret, want, wish.

11. Dynamic verbs include those that express some
form of physical movement: come, float, go,
hop, jump, pound, rotate, run, swim, turn,
vibrate, walk.

12. Exercises:
1. I climbed up the peak of the mountain to
take pictures for documentation.
2. I fear the upcoming final exam.
3. She wishes to be a boy.
4. The boats float.
5. I jumped like a kangaroo upon hearing my
dad’s arrival.
6. He remains silent.

13. Punctual and Durative Aspect
Punctual aspect contains momentary actions or
change of state. Durative aspect contains
unchanging state or continuing activity.
Examples:
They sat down in the last row. (Punctual)
They were sitting in the last row. (Durative)
They sat in the last row every time they went to
the theater. (Habitual Aspect)

14. Note that a number of verbs occur in both
punctual and durative uses. They sometimes
referred to as verbs of mental activity.
1. He felt miserable about what he had seen.
2. Suddenly she knew just what she had to do.
3. I remembered what she had told me.
4. She knew the answer yesterday but today she
can’t think of it.
Sentences 1 & 2 express an event, the act of
coming into a state of remembering, feeling,
knowing. They express ingressive
aspect.(inchoative aspect).
Sentences 3 & 4 tell of a state in existence.

15. Let’s analyze the following sentences:
1. Albert kicked a ball and the ball struck a post.
2. Jane arrived at the office a few minutes after nine.
3. They leave tomorrow.
4. The plane lands at 8.40
5. Mr. Edwards retires in May.
6. The students debated about the new school rules.
7. I remembered that I had an appointment at two.
8. He felt a sharp pain in the shoulder.
9. He argued with his teacher.