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Imperfectivity and Transience

The Two Sides of the Progressive Aspect in Simultaneity as- and while-clauses

University of Genoa, Italy

Recent research into simultaneity as- and while-clauses has shown that they tend to be used differently. As-clauses usually code events with a high degree of susceptibility to change, whereas while-clauses tend to evoke more stable temporal configurations. Following this insight, the present article studies the interaction between the progressive aspect and as- and while-clauses. It is claimed that the progressive aspect in as-clauses is prototypically used as a slowing-down/stretching device (i.e., an imperfectivization mechanism). It is used to establish an aspectual contrast between a prolonged as-event and a (relatively) punctual main event. By contrast, progressive while -clauses seem to behave more similarly to main clauses. The progressive is primarily used as a transience marker, that is, to signal that the (relatively) stable event coded by a while-clause is a temporary state.

Key Words: as-clause • change verb • imperfectivization • progressive aspect • simultaneity clauses • while-clause

This version was published on June 1, 2008

Journal of English Linguistics, Vol. 36, No. 2, 155-178 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0075424208316641


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