In the process of learning English, I found that many textbooks skip or pay insufficient attention to one of the most mysterious and at the same time important categories – the aspect of verb. The type of verb plays a key role in understanding the subtleties and nuances of language, emphasizing the differences between simple, long-lasting, perfect and completely long-lasting aspects of action in different tenses. Given this gap in traditional learning, I decided to develop my own set of exercises specifically aimed at developing understanding and proper use of the verb type in English. These exercises, born from my personal experience and in-depth analysis of the language structure, are designed to give my students a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills by complementing and expanding existing learning materials. From my point of view, such an approach to learning English will not only increase the effectiveness of learning, but also arouse additional interest in learning the nuances and beauty of English.
This article is available in Russian.
The aspect of a verb is a grammatical category that reflects the characteristics of the action process in relation to the passage of time. In the Russian language, the aspect of verbs manifests itself through two aspects (types): imperfect and perfect.
How do we understand the category of a species in Russian?
1. Imperfect aspect indicates a process or state that is considered in its duration, repeatability, generality, without indicating a result or completion. Verbs in an imperfect form reflect an action as a process without taking into account its outcome. For example, 'читать', 'говорить', 'работать'.
2. The perfect aspect reflects an action that is considered in terms of its completeness, development or achievement of a result. Verbs in perfect form indicate that the action was performed, led to a certain result or condition. For example, 'прочитать', 'сказать', 'выполнить'.
The pairing of aspects of verbs: in Russian, many verbs form aspectual pairs, where one verb denotes an action in an imperfect form, and its pair is the same process or result, but in a perfect form. For example, 'строить' – 'построить'.
The meaning of the aspect in the text: the choice of the aspect of the verb is important for the accurate expression of thought, to indicate the one-time or multiple, the process or its completeness. The use of a certain aspect of the verb allows the author to more accurately convey the essence of the action, its nature and connection with time.
But what about English?
In English, there is no such division of verbs by type in the sense that it is customary in Russian. Instead, English uses various time forms and aspects to reflect the nature of actions. Long time forms (Continuous or Progressive) emphasize the process of action, its duration, or the fact that the action takes place at a certain moment. Simple time forms can be used to express general statements, facts, repetitive actions, or actions perceived as singular in nature. Thus, for English speakers, the importance can be both on the process of action and on its result, depending on the context and the chosen time form.
The aspect in English is part of a broader category of tense and shows how the action relates to the time stream. There are two main aspects in English: Progressive (or Continuous) and Perfect.
1. The Progressive or Continuous Aspect expresses an action that is in the process of development at a certain point in time (in the past, present or future). This aspect is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the appropriate tense and the main verb with the ending -ing. For example: I am reading (the action takes place at the moment of speech); He was watching TV (the action took place at some point in the past).
2. The Perfect Aspect indicates an action that has been completed up to a certain point in time. It is formed using the auxiliary verb to have in the right tense and the past participle of the main verb (past participle). For example: I have finished my homework (the action is completed by now); She had left before we arrived (the action was completed by a certain point in the past).
In addition, there is a completely progressive aspect in English (Perfect Continuous Aspect), which combines the characteristics of both the perfect and progressive aspects. It indicates an action that began in the past and continued up to a certain point in time. For example, I had been reading for two hours when he called (I was reading for two hours when he called).
The choice of an aspect in English allows you to accurately indicate the nature of an action in time – its duration, development, or relation to a certain moment. The aspect helps the authors to emphasize the duration or completeness of actions, which is important for clarity of presentation and accuracy of expression of thought.
Simple Aspect in English is the basic form of a verb that does not emphasize the duration or completeness of an action. The simple aspect focuses on the fact of the action in general, without specifying whether the action is taking place at the moment, whether it lasted for some time or was completed by a certain point. Depending on the time (present, past, future), the Simple Aspect can be considered in various temporal forms.
For example:
– Present Simple: I read books. (a fact, a habitual action)
– Past Simple (Simple Past tense): I read a book yesterday. (fact, completed action)
– Future Simple (Simple Future tense): I will read a book. (the intention to perform an action in the future)
Simple Aspect is used to express well-known facts, regular or repetitive actions, as well as to indicate a sequence of actions in the past or future. In comparison with the Progressive and Perfect aspects, the Simple aspect does not imply additional context about the process or completion of the action, which makes it more universal and widely used.
Using a Simple aspect helps to establish facts or describe regular events and actions, without focusing on their duration or completeness. This can be useful for creating a general narrative, giving examples, or making generalizations.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Here is an exercise to choose the type (aspect) of English verbs. Read the sentences and choose the correct verb type. Two possible answers are offered for each item.
1. By the time we get to the cinema, the movie __________.
a) will have started (Future Perfect)
b) will start (Future Simple)
2. When I was young, I __________ to the park every Sunday.
a) went (Past Simple)
b) would go (Past Habitual)
3. Right now, she __________ a new book.
a) is reading (Present Continuous)
b) reads (Present Simple)
4. By next year, they __________ together for a decade.
a) will have been living (Future Perfect Continuous)
b) have been living (Present Perfect Continuous)
5. When I walked into the room, they __________ about something funny.
a) were laughing (Past Continuous)
b) laughed (Past Simple)
6. __________ you ever __________ to Paris?
a) Have...been (Present Perfect)
b) Do...go (Present Simple)
7. He __________ the same car for more than fifteen years before he finally sold it.
a) had been driving (Past Perfect Continuous)
b) drove (Past Simple)
8. By the end of the month, I __________ this project.
a) will finish (Future Simple)
b) will have finished (Future Perfect)
9. Ever since she moved to the city, she __________ much happier.
a) has been (Present Perfect)
b) is being (Present Continuous)
10. While I __________ a bath, I heard a strange noise outside.
a) was taking (Past Continuous)
b) took (Past Simple)
Exercise 2
Below are the sentences in which the verbs are given in the basic form. Your task is to transform these sentences using verbs in the right aspect and tense, according to the context of the sentence. Consider the context of each sentence to determine which aspect (Simple, Continuous, Perfect, Perfect Continuous) and which tense (Present, Past, Future) should be used.
1. When I arrived, they (to play) football.
2. By 2023, I (to live) in New York for 10 years.
3. He usually (to go) to bed at 11 pm.
4. While she (to cook), she (to cut) her finger.
5. I think we (to finish) the project by the end of this month.
6. She (to read) the same book for three months now.
7. By the time you get back, I (to clean) the entire house.
8. Every Sunday, they (to go) to their grandparents.
9. I (to work) on this assignment when suddenly my computer crashed.
10. They (to be) married for 25 years by their next anniversary.
Exercise 3
Below are the beginnings of several everyday situations. Your task is to complete the stories using the verbs in parentheses, choosing the most appropriate aspect for each situation. Keep in mind the context and time in which the action takes place to choose between Simple, Continuous, Perfect or Perfect Continuous aspects.
1. Yesterday at this time, she (to write) an important email to her boss.
2. By the time you arrive, they (to finish) painting the house.
3. Right now, my neighbors (to have) a loud party.
4. He always (to forget) his wallet at home.
5. By next year, she (to work) at that company for five years.
6. While I was on my holiday, I (to meet) some interesting people.
7. Every morning, she (to go) for a run before breakfast.
8. I (to sleep) for eight hours when suddenly my phone rang.
Execution example for the first situation:
- Yesterday at this time, she was writing (to write) an important email to her boss.
Keys
Exercise 1. Here are the possible options for converting sentences:
1. When I arrived, they were playing (to play) football.
– Past Continuous is used to express the action that took place at the time of arrival.
2. By 2023, I will have lived (to live) in New York for 10 years.
– Future Perfect is used for an action that will be completed by a certain point in the future.3
3. He usually goes (to go) to bed at 11 pm.– Present Simple is used to express common, repetitive actions.
4. While she was cooking (to cook), she cut (to cut) her finger.– Past Continuous is used for a long-term action that was interrupted by another action in the past (Past Simple).
5. I think we will have finished (to finish) the project by the end of this month.– Future Perfect is used to express an action that will be fully completed by a certain point in the future.
6. She has been reading (to read) the same book for three months now.– Present Perfect Continuous is used for a long-term action that began in the past and continues to the present moment.
7. By the time you get back, I will have cleaned (to clean) the entire house.
– Future Perfect is used for an action that will be completed by a certain point in the future.
8. Every Sunday, they go (to go) to their grandparents.– Present Simple is used to express ordinary, repetitive actions.
9. I was working (to work) on this assignment when suddenly my computer crashed.– Past Continuous is used for a long-term action in the past that was unexpectedly interrupted.
10. They will have been married (to be married) for 25 years by their next anniversary.– Future Perfect Continuous is used to express a long-term action that will last until a certain point in the future and will be counted at the time of the occurrence of this event.
Exercise 2. Let's look at each example:
1. By the time we get to the cinema, the movie __________.
a) will have started (Future Perfect)
It is used to express an action that will be completed by a certain point in the future. In this case, by our arrival at the cinema.
2. When I was young, I __________ to the park every Sunday.
b) would go (Past Habitual)
It is used to describe a habit or a repetitive action in the past.
3. Right now, she __________ a new book.
a) is reading (Present Continuous)
It is used to describe an action that is happening right now.
4. By next year, they __________ together for a decade.
a) will have been living (Future Perfect Continuous)
It is used to express a continuous action that began in the past and will continue until a certain point in the future.
5. When I walked into the room, they __________ about something funny.
a) were laughing (Past Continuous)
It is used to describe an action that occurred at a certain point in time in the past when another action occurred.
6. __________ you ever __________ to Paris?
a) Have...been (Present Perfect)
It is used to express the experience up to the present moment.
7. He __________ the same car for more than fifteen years before he finally sold it.
a) had been driving (Past Perfect Continuous)
It is used to describe a prolonged action that began and continued in the past until another moment or action in the past.
8. By the end of the month, I __________ this project.
b) will have finished (Future Perfect)
It is used to express an action that will be completed by a certain point in the future.
9. Ever since she moved to the city, she __________ much happier.
a) has been (Present Perfect)
It is used to describe changes that have occurred in the past and continue to affect the present.
10. While I __________ a bath, I heard a strange noise outside.
a) was taking (Past Continuous)
It is used to describe an action that occurred at a certain point in time in the past when another action occurred.
Exercise 3. Let's look at each example:
1. Yesterday at this time, she was writing an important email to her boss.
Past Continuous is used because the action (email preparation) took place for some time in the past.
2. By the time you arrive, they will have finished painting the house.
Here, Future Perfect is used to show that the action (painting the house) will be completed before a certain point in the future (your arrival).
3. Right now, my neighbors are having a loud party.
Present Continuous is used to describe the action (neighbor's party) that is currently taking place.
4. He always forgets his wallet at home.
Present Simple is used to express a regular action or habit (forgetting your wallet at home).
5. By next year, she will have been working at that company for five years.
Here, Future Perfect Continuous is suitable for expressing an action (work in a company) that began in the past and will continue in the future until a certain point (next year).
6. While I was on my holiday, I met some interesting people.
In this case, Past Simple is used, since the action (meeting interesting people) happened and ended in the past.
7. Every morning, she goes for a run before breakfast.
Present Simple is used to express a regular activity (morning jog) that occurs every day.
8. I was sleeping for eight hours when suddenly my phone rang.
Here, Past Continuous is suitable to describe a long-term action in the past (sleep) that was interrupted by another action (phone ringing).
Discussion
After we have revealed the secrets of the type of English verbs, perhaps you have a desire to deepen your knowledge. If so, I am always happy to share my experience and techniques in personal classes. Feel free to contact me for more detailed information or just to discuss your goals in learning English. You will find my contacts in the profile.
After you fill out all the sentences, try to explain in the comments why you chose this particular type of verb. For example, "the above answer uses Continuous aspect because the action took place at a specific moment in the past."