Chapter 9 Viewpoints on Events (Explanatory material)

• 9.41.1 Say whether the italicised present tense verb in each sentence represents a state or an event. If an event, is it habitual, instantaneous, ‘historic’, quotative,  past referring, planned future event, reporting?
• 9.41.1 (2) ! Brain-teaser:  Why can’t you say ‘James Joyce has been born in Dublin’?
• 9.42.1 Which is more meaningful, the Past tense or the Present Perfect tense-aspect in each of the following paired sentences? Mark with * any that sounds ungrammatical.
• 9.42.1(2) ! Another Brain-teaser: Why would you probably never hear a native speaker say ‘I’ve gone home’?
• 9.42.2 Changing the time orientation to the past, use the Past Perfect when suitable.
• 9.42.3 Do you think the situation expressed in each sentence below a) has an end-point, or b) has no end-point? (See Figure in 9.4 in English Grammar: A University Course.)
• 9.43.1 Change the main verb to Progressive in the following sentences. What is the new kind of meaning?
• 9.44.1 Identify the type of modality in each of the following.
• 9.44.2 Identify the type of modality in each of the following sentences.
• 9.44.3 Adjust each of the following so that they refer to past time.
• 9.44.3(2) ! Brain-teaser: Consider the modal auxiliary will. How is it that will can make reference not only to future time but also to present and past time? Study Unit 44 in English Grammar: A University Course to work it out.