Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

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Coherence; Discourse

Theme

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Comment

Time (past, present, future) A non-linguistic concept which refers to the past,

the present and the future. Time can be expressed by tense, through a change of

verb forms. Time is also related to aspect, which represents speakers’

perspectives on time in relation to events.

Present time denotes time reference for actions, events or states at the

moment of speaking or writing, or at ‘time around now’. 

Past time denotes time reference for actions, events or states before the time

of speaking or writing. 

Future time denotes time reference for future actions, events or states. There

is no future tense ending for English verbs; future time is mainly expressed by

shall/will, be going to,

present progressive form, be about to, be to, etc.

926 | Glossary

Cambridge Grammar of English

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