[B-Greek] Undefined Aspect
dhoxworth at charter.net
dhoxworth at charter.net
Tue Feb 10 11:07:04 EST 2004
><Mitch>
> Under the heading of Aspect, Mounce says...
>
> "The present tense indicates either a continuous or
> undefined action."
>
> I thought the present tense was part of the
> Imperfective Aspect, which does not indicate undefined
> action (that would be the Perfective Aspect).
>
> What does he mean?
<doug>
depending on context, the writer may use the present tense to either refer to continuous or repeated action or to action where the kind of action (repeated or otherwise) is not emphasized (i.e., undefined). in other words, with the undefined aspect that is sometime in view with the present tense, the author is not concerned about _how_ the action takes place but only _that_ the action takes place (e.g., the writer perhaps just wants to say that something happens without an interest or emphasis on whether or not it is repeated). i hope my feeble attempt to explain this makes sense...
Doug Hoxworth
MABTS Candidate at Luther Rice Seminary
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