Perfect FormsPerfect Forms

Lecture 15Lecture 15

The perfective aspect The perfective aspect ► An earlier action or state has relevance at a later An earlier action or state has relevance at a later

reference pointreference point, or , or point of orientationpoint of orientation. .

► perfective aspect + present tense ("Present perfective aspect + present tense ("Present Perfect") Perfect") →→ the reference point is identical with the reference point is identical with the speech moment (the speech moment (John has bought a new car). ).

► perfective aspect + past tense ("Past Perfect") perfective aspect + past tense ("Past Perfect") →→ the reference point is earlier than the speech the reference point is earlier than the speech moment (moment (John had bought a new car when I met him last week). ).

Differences b/n the Past and the Present Differences b/n the Past and the Present

Perfect if the main verb is dynamic:Perfect if the main verb is dynamic:

PastPast Present PerfectPresent Perfect Focuses on the past Focuses on the past

action: action: John bought a new John bought a new car last weekcar last week (he may or (he may or

may not have sold it since may not have sold it since then). then).

Focuses on the present Focuses on the present relevance (result) of the relevance (result) of the

past action: past action: John has John has bought a new carbought a new car (the car (the car is still in his possession). is still in his possession).

Refers to a period that Refers to a period that terminated before the terminated before the speech moment: speech moment: John John

Smith wrote four novelsSmith wrote four novels (before he died/in the 60s (before he died/in the 60s

etc.) etc.)

Refers to a period of time Refers to a period of time that includes the speech that includes the speech moment: moment: John Smith has John Smith has written four novelswritten four novels (he (he

may write more) may write more)

► It follows that only the Past can co-occur It follows that only the Past can co-occur with with definite past time expressionsdefinite past time expressions (adverbials) such as (adverbials) such as last week/month/year, in the 60s, before he died, etc. , etc.

►Both the Past and the Past perfect can Both the Past and the Past perfect can co-occur with co-occur with adverbials expressing adverbials expressing durationduration, however: cf. , however: cf. John lived in Paris for 20 years and John has lived in Paris for 20 years.

PerfectPerfect → it makes an explicit reference to → it makes an explicit reference to the relation b/n an implied resultant situation the relation b/n an implied resultant situation

and a previous situation that brought about itand a previous situation that brought about it

1. 1. Perfect of Result. Perfect of Result. It indicates the persistence It indicates the persistence of a previous situation at some fixed moment of of a previous situation at some fixed moment of time: time: He has retired as chairman of the historical society.

2. Perfect of Experience. 2. Perfect of Experience. It indicates that a It indicates that a situation has taken place situation has taken place at least once in the at least once in the previous period of timeprevious period of time::She has written a novel before.

PerfectPerfect

3. Perfect of Persistent Situation. 3. Perfect of Persistent Situation. It It reports a situation that reports a situation that started in the started in the past and persists into the presentpast and persists into the present::

He has taught German since 1985.

4. Perfect of Recent Past. 4. Perfect of Recent Past. It denotes a It denotes a previous situation specified by means previous situation specified by means of the adverbs ‘of the adverbs ‘recentlyrecently’, ‘’, ‘justjust’, etc.’, etc.

They have just left.