The Domain of Tense

Tense and temporal interpretation

“…Note that it is possible to adapt a semantically based syntax to account for the contextual dependencies discussed here; see Smith (2004).…”

“…The principles are stated with contextual constraints that ensure the relevant discourse mode (Smith, 2003). The principles draw on information in the features associated with tense-the features themselves are unchanged.…”

“…The Past adverb specifies RT in (14a). The Present now in (14b) indicates subjectivity, a mind present at the past time; it does not change the temporal interpretation (Smith, 2003). With a Future adverb (14c) the interpretation is future-in-past, a shifted futurate progressive: the event of leaving is 3 days after RT, unspecified here.…”

“…In previous work I have shown that text passages realize one of five Discourse Modes: Narrative, Report, Description, Information, Argument (Smith, 2001(Smith, , 2003. 9 Each mode introduces certain types of aspectual entities into a discourse, and has a characteristic principle of advancement.…”

“…The Bounded Event Constraint is very close to the 'punctuality constraint' proposed inGiorgi and Pianesi (1997), as Nina Hyams has pointed out to me.There are well-known exceptions to the Bounded Event Constraint in English, notably performatives (I hereby christen this ship the 'Queen Elizabeth'), sports-announcer reports (Now Jones throws the ball to third base), literary commentary (Here the author intrudes), discussed inSmith (2003). A different kind of exception is the fictional narrative entirely set in the present, which has its own conventions.…”