This article offers commentary on the Multiple Grammars (MG) language acquisition theory proposed by Luiz Amaral and Tom Roeper in this issue. It argues that more precise definitions are needed for the terms "rule," "simple," and "productive." Topics discussed include Amaral and Roeper's verb second (V2) rule,…

Examines question of whether in imperative constructions 'let' is a full verb meaning 'allow' or an auxiliary verb. Suggests it is not always easy to determine. (Author/BK)

Compares the use of English compound tenses and Russian tense-aspect combinations in English and Russian scientific writing. Concludes that to convey the proper meaning, English translations of Russian technical texts should contain more uses of the conditional or subjunctive than appear in the original. (EKN)

This paper proposes that resultative verb-particle constructions (VPCs) have an underlyingly different structure from idiomatic VPCs; both structures differ from the Small Clause analysis of R. Kayne (1985) et al and the verb-particle complex analysis of K. Johnson (1991). Empirical support for the new proposal comes from anaphor deletion facts…

Proposes a model for the description of "tense" in English verbs in the indicative mood. (AM)

Examines grammaticalization of English "would" over an extended period of time. Offers an analysis that accounts for evidence of both the first Gricean Maxim of Quantity (in which an unrestricted quantity of information is understood to have a restricted representation) and the second (which holds that a restricted quantity of information is…

Examines the German "werden-" passives and their English counterparts identifying four basic constraints on the inclusion of "being" in the English passive construction. Uses contrastive analysis to explain the ambiguity of the English past participle, and orders the constraints on the use of "being" sequentially…

A brief overview is presented of previous theoretical treatments of the verb-preposition construction, concentrating on three Government Binding Theory treatments. Arguments are outlined that support a different analysis of this type of construction. (24 references) (Author/VWL)

Argues that the imperative construction in English can be given a fairly orthodox syntactic representation assuming current principles in Government Binding Theory. A number of reasons are provided for claiming that the imperative construction contains a case-marked subject. (23 references) (Author/VWL)

Presents a critical review of linguistic research on the temporal structure of sentences, with particular reference to the progressive aspect of the English verb. All works reviewed analyze the temporal meaning of these forms using the concepts of "Interval Semantics" and the methods of logical analysis. (MES)

Outlines a system that modifies, and expands on, PTQ ("The Proper Treatment of Quantification in English" by R. Montague), in order to include an analysis of the present and past tenses, and of the perfect and progressive aspects. Also analyzes temporal adverbs and their interactions with tense and aspect. (MES)

Observation of sentences shows that expected incompatibility of the present perfect in English and adverbs of finished time may be ignored by speakers who focus on the current relevance of the event to the moment of speaking. Communicational problems and conflicts may be resolved pragmatically with reference to the principal purpose of…

A categorical difference between the verbal groups of English and German is discussed. The English verbal group is analyzed as consisting of a lexical constituent and modifiers. The latter divide into four groups of (full) auxiliaries (passive, aspect, time relation, and epistemic modals) and into the two main classes of verbal and non-verbal…

Discusses future-tense form possibilities in English and their pedagogical implications. Six possibilities are discussed: (1) the future tense proper, signalled by "if" + present or mental state verbs; (2) declaration of intent, with "I'll" or "we'll"; (3) "Shall I/we" questions; (4) "will you"…

Introduces the theory that the conversational historical present (CHP) in itself has no significance. It is the switching between CHP and the past tenses that is the relevant feature. (Author/CFM)