In this paper I am going to write about the present time level (present tense, pre-present tense, future tense, and pre-future tense) – the tenses of involvement and nearness. Therefore, I will have a closer look at the form and usage of the particular tenses. In order to do so I have used the following grammar books: Praktische Englische Grammatik, English G: Grammatik, Englische Grammatik: Regeln und Übungen für die Klassen 5 bis 13, A University Course in English Grammar, Tense, and Englische Verbformen: Bedeutung und kommunikative Leistung.
At the end I am going to go through three different texts in order to find examples of the use of present tense, pre-present tense, future tense, and pre-future tense. One text is about language and literature: Language and Empowerment by Ronald Carter out of Keywords in Language and Literacy , the second text is a cultural text by David Punter and is called Fictional maps of Britian (Theoretical frames) out of Studying British Cultures – An Introduction, and the last text is an historical one out of An Outline of American History by Keith Olson.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Present time level
2.1 Present Tense
2.2 Pre-Present Tense
2.3 Future Tense
2.4 Pre-Future Tense
3. Text study
4. Results
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the usage and functions of the present time level in English, specifically focusing on the present tense, pre-present tense, future tense, and pre-future tense, through an analysis of selected linguistic and cultural texts.
- Theoretical exploration of nearness vs. distance in tense usage.
- Analysis of the present tense across different communication contexts.
- Differentiation between resultative, experiential, and continuative pre-present tenses.
- Examination of future tense applications, including predictions and external events.
- Practical text analysis comparing language usage in diverse academic and historical writings.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Present time level
According to Batstone, present tense represents nearness and past tense is used to express distance (Batstone: 1994, 22). This can be shown by different possibilities to use tenses.
First of all, there is the social aspect. Everyone has needs but to get along in groups one has to manage two things: first, to full-fill ones own request and, second, to take the wishes of others in consideration. In that case, language offers some possibilities to solve this problem. We let our requests depend on the others cooperation by saying, “Could I…?” or “Would you mind…?” (Batstone: 1994, 17). In other words we use language to show a polite distance between our person opposite of us and ourselves. An example can be shown if we want to use someones book. Here we have got several ways to ask for it:
1. Book!
2. Give me your book!
3. Can you give me your book?
4. Could you give me your book?
5. I was wondering if it might be possible for you to give me your book.
(Cf. Batstone: 1994, 17)
As one can see, by asking for a book, one may use present or past tense. One can show an amount of social distance by using present such as “Can you give me….?”. However, if we want to be more respectful “ we switch to past forms, as with ‘I was wondering…?’ […] The more polite and socially distant, the more likely it is that we will shift from present to past forms.” (Batstone: 1994, 17). But in the context with politeness present and past are not the right words, those are terms of time. However “there is a connection which has to do with distance” (Batstone: 1994, 17):
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the paper, focusing on the tenses of involvement and nearness, and lists the grammar books and texts selected for the investigation.
2. Present time level: This chapter establishes the theoretical foundation by distinguishing between present and past tense based on psychological, social, and temporal distance.
2.1 Present Tense: This section explains the formation and diverse usages of the present tense, including habitual actions, performatives, and scheduled future events.
2.2 Pre-Present Tense: This section defines the pre-present tense as a retrospective form and categorizes it into resultative, experiential, and continuative types.
2.3 Future Tense: This section explores the usage of the simple future, focusing on its role in making predictions and expressing events beyond the speaker's control.
2.4 Pre-Future Tense: This section details the pre-future tense as a method to describe actions completed before another point in the future.
3. Text study: This chapter applies the previously discussed grammatical theories to analyze three specific texts regarding language, culture, and history.
4. Results: This chapter concludes the analysis by summarizing how different texts employ the present time level based on their specific content and genre.
Keywords
Present tense, Pre-present tense, Future tense, Pre-future tense, Nearness, Distance, Social aspect, Psychological distance, Temporal distance, Habitual events, Performatives, Predictions, Grammar, English language, Text analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the "present time level" in English, which encompasses the present tense, pre-present tense, future tense, and pre-future tense.
What are the central themes of the linguistic analysis?
The core themes include the concepts of "nearness" and "distance" in grammar, and how these concepts influence the choice of tense in both social interactions and formal texts.
What is the main objective of the author?
The main objective is to investigate the form and usage of these tenses by utilizing grammar books as a theoretical framework and then applying them to analyze real-world examples from three distinct texts.
Which scientific method is used?
The author uses a comparative and analytical approach, combining a review of established grammatical theory with empirical observation of tense usage in selected academic and historical literature.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers theoretical explanations of the four tenses followed by a practical "Text study" that evaluates how Ronald Carter, David Punter, and Keith Olson employ these tenses in their writings.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
Key terms include "Present tense," "Nearness vs. Distance," "Grammar," "Tense usage," "Text analysis," and "Linguistics."
How does social distance affect tense selection according to the author?
The author explains that speakers often shift from present to past forms to increase politeness and social distance, demonstrating that grammatical choices are intrinsically linked to social context.
Why is the pre-present tense considered an "indefinite" tense?
It is classified as indefinite because it relates to an unspecified period of time leading up to the present moment, rather than a specific, fixed point in the past.
How does the usage of future tense differ in the analyzed texts?
The author observes that while some texts contain no future tense examples, others utilize it specifically to express predictions or discuss events where the speaker has no direct influence.
- Quote paper
- Linda Dittmann (Author), 2003, Past Time Level vs. Present Time Level, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/41373
