The inflectional tense system

9 important questions on The inflectional tense system

What are the major uses of the preterite tense?

The preterite tense has three major uses:
1. PAST TIME
  • Examples: "He arrived yesterday."
  • - Shows events that occurred in the past.
2. BACKSHIFT
  • Examples: "Ed said he was ill."
  • - Present tense is shifted back to preterite in reporting.
3. MODAL REMOTENESS
  • Examples: "I wish I knew the answer."
  • - Indicates a counterfactual or remote possibility.

How does the BACKSHIFT use of the preterite tense function?

The backshift use involves changing present tense to preterite due to reporting verbs:
  1. "Ed said he was ill."
  2. "I thought it started tomorrow."
- Reports past statements with present content.

What does MODAL REMOTENESS refer to in the preterite tense?

Modal remoteness implies a non-temporal meaning involving factuality:
  1. "I wish I knew the answer."
  2. "I'd do it if you paid me."
- Represents unlikely scenarios or counterfactual situations.
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What is the difference between PAST TIME and BACKSHIFT uses in the preterite tense?

Key differences include:
  • PAST TIME indicates completed past actions.
  • BACKSHIFT reflects present tense in past reporting.
  • - Example: "She thought it starts tomorrow." vs. "She thought it started."

How does the MODAL REMOTENESS use differ in terms of time?

This use aligns with:
  1. Counterfactual situations: "I wish I knew."
  2. Likely scenarios: "I'll do it if you pay me."
- The time is present or future, despite preterite form.

Why is it important to distinguish between uses of the preterite tense?

It clarifies the intended meaning:
  1. The PAST TIME denotes historical events.
  2. The BACKSHIFT and MODAL REMOTENESS involve different implications.
  3. Enhances understanding in communication and grammar.

What are the two main uses of the present tense according to the provided information?

The two primary uses of the present tense are:
1. PRESENT TIME
  • Example: I promise I'll help you.
  • - Example: She lives in Sydney.
2. FUTURE TIME
  • Example: Exams start next week.
  • - Example: I'll go home when it gets dark.

How does the present tense indicate present time in examples [22(i)]?

Present tense indicates presence by:
1. Showing simultaneous actions, like in
- I promise I'll help you.
2. Demonstrating states that exist at the moment, like in
- She lives in Sydney.

How is the present tense used to express future time in examples [22(ii)]?

Future time is expressed using present tense as follows:
1. Events that are scheduled, e.g.,
- Exams start next week.
2. In subordinate clauses without scheduling, e.g.,
- I'll go home when it gets dark.

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