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Every language has its peculiar problems of meaning for the foreign learner. In the English language, some of the biggest yet most fascinating problems are concentrated in the area of the finite verb phrase: in particular, tense, aspect, mood and modality.
Meaning and the English Verb describes these fields in detail for teachers and advanced students of English as a foreign or second language. This new third edition uses up-to-date examples to show differences and similarities between American and British english, reflecting a great deal of recent research in this area. It also takes account of the subtle changes which are taking place in the language today.
In print for over 30 years, Meaning and the English Verb has established itself as a recognised authority on the meaning and use of verb constructions in English. This updated third edition will ensure that it remains an invaluable text for teachers and students of English worldwide.
List of contents
Acknowledgements
Key to Sumbols
Preface to Third Edition
Introduction
1. Simple Present and Past Tenses
2. Progressive Aspect
3. The Expression of Past Time
4. The Expression of Future Time
5. The Primary Modal Auxillaries
6. Modality Continued
7. Indirect Speech
8. Mood: Theoretical and Hypothetical Meaning
Further Reading
Index
About the author
Geoffrey Leech is Emeritus Professor of English Linguistics at Lancaster University. He has published 20 books with Longman, including 'A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry' and 'A Communicative Grammar of English'.
