Models of tense systems in english

Abstract

Three models of tense systems are briefly discussed. W. E. Bull compared tense systems to the calendar. His hypothetical tense system operates with four axes of orientation, all of which are related to the present moment which is simultaneous with the act of verbalization. The basis of the system are temporal relations of extra-linguistic character. Two types of intra-linguistic models have been constructed. In the model with two tenses, past and non-past, the relations are presented as a set of eight binary oppositions in the morphology of the verbal group in English. Tense is realized in the shape of the first word in the finite group — hence this word is the finite element. The model with three tenses, present, past and future, i|s recursive in M. A. K. Halliday’s description, allowing for the first choice to be repeated by other choice or choices, and is made up of several related systems conditioned by linguistic factors. The tenses in independent clauses and the tenses in bound clauses belong to different systems. Tense is not the only resource of expressing time relations in the verbal group. The other is aspect.