Lecture 27. The category of aspect

Lecture 27.
1. The category of aspect
Aspect is a grammatical category that expresses how an action, event, or state, denoted by a verb, extends over time. Perfective aspect is used in referring to an event conceived as bounded and unitary, without reference to any flow of time during ("I helped him"). Imperfective aspect is used for situations conceived as existing continuously or repetitively as time flows ("I was helping him"; "I used to help people").
2. Past Continuous of the English verb
The past continuous tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and often continued for a short period of time after the action started. This tense describes actions or events that happened at a specific time in the past. These actions are usually no longer happening at the time the sentence is being said or written.
The past continuous is formed from the past tense of "to be" with the base of the main verb plus the ending "-ing" form of the verb.
It is formed like this: Subject + was/were + continuous form of the verb ending in -ing
One example of this tense is: I was watching television when she called me last night. The past continuous tense is "was watching." Another example of this tense is: We were playing football when he sprained his wrist last week. The past continuous tense is "were playing."
3. The use of the Past Simple and Present Perfect
You must always use the present perfect when the time of an action is not important or not specified.
You must always use the simple past when details about the time or place that an action occured are given or requested.
Compare :
Present perfect Simple past
I have lived in Lyon. I lived in Lyon in 1989.
They have eaten Thai food. They ate Thai food last night.
Have you seen 'Othello'? Where did you see 'Othello'?
We have been to Ireland. When did you go to Ireland?
There is also a difference in attitude between the two tenses, which is often an important factor in choosing which tense to use.
"What did you do at school today?" I use the simple past tense because the question is about activities, and the school day is considered finished.
"What have you done at school today?" I use the present perfect because the question is about results : « show me ». The time at which the question is asked is considered as a continuation of the school day.