Theory on Tenses, Aspect and Mood
22 The bus
is stopping. d. Indicating a habitual action and conveying an emotional coloring such as
irritation usually
with an adverb of high frequency
23 He’s always writing with a special pen – just because he likes to
be different.
According to Quirk 1985:48 present progressive can also refer to a future happening which is anticipated in the present. The basic meaning of it is fixed
arrangement, plan, or program’. 24 He
is moving to London. iii. Instantaneous
The instantaneous type is usually expressed with either the simple or progressive forms.
25 Watch carefully now: first, I write with my ordinary pen; now, I
write with a special pen. 26
As you see, I am dropping the stone into the water. The using of simple present is regularly used in subordinate clauses that
are conditional introduced by if, unless, etc or temporal introduced by as soon as, before, when, etc. The used of simple present in main clause may be said to
represent a marked future aspect of unusual certainty. In the other words, the simple present tense can be used for;
a. Referring to a sequential habit in subordinate clause with the main verb is in future time.
27 The guest will be drunk before they leave.
b. Referring to a conditional in a future time especially in the subordinate clause.
28 What will you say if I marry my boss?
According to Murcia Freeman 1983: 63, a simple present tense can also be used for:
a. Describing about a present event action or speech act 29
I resign from the commission.
b. Describing a past events in narration in conversation 30 “So
she stands up in the boat and waves his arms to catch our
attention.” The other aspect in English language is perfective aspect. It can be
combined with present tense as well progressive aspect. Based on Murcia freeman 1983: 64, the using of present perfect form can be used for;
a. Referring to a situation that began in the past and that continuous into the present.
31 I have been a teacher since 1972.
b. Referring to a past experience with current relevance 32 I
have already seen that movie. c. Referring to a very recently completed action
33 Mort has just finished his homework.
d. Referring to an action that went on over time in the past and that is completed with the moment of speaking
34 The value of the Johnsons’ house has doubled in the last 4 years.
e. Referring to a conditional time in the subordinate clauses 35 If
you have done your homework, you can watch TV.
A present tense can also be combined with the combination of progressive aspect and also a perfective aspect. According to Murcia freeman 1983: 65, the
form of present perfect progressive is used for; a. Describing a situation or habit that began in the past recent or distant
and that continues up to present. 36 I
have been living in Seattle for 7 years. b. Describing the incompleteness of an action in progress
37 I
have been reading a book. According to Quirk 1985: 47, there is no obvious future tense in English
corresponding to the time tense relation for present and past. The expression of the future is closely bound up with mood. Instead there are several possibilities for
denoting future time. It is rendered by means of modal auxiliaries or semi- auxiliaries, or by simple present forms or progressive forms.
Quirk 1985:47 also mentioned that the patterns of simple future will and shall is used to:
a. Refer to an action which takes place at some definite future time 38 He
will walk to school tomorrow. b. Refer to a future habitual action or future state
39 Joel will take the bus to work next year.
c. Refer to a situation that may obtain in the present and will obtain in the future but with some future termination in the sight