ASPECTUAL CLASSES AND TIME ADVERBIALS IN EFL TEACHING

Abstract: The interpretation of the sentences involving some aspectual properties and the time adverbials such as in+time phrase, for+time phrase, right now, and at this point is different in English in terms of duration and process and hence these time phrases distinguish activity verbs from accomplishment and achievement verbs. That is, activity verbs take for+time phrases as adverbial phrases but not in+time phrases. However, accomplishment and achievement verbs are used with in-phrases but not with for-phrases. Activity verbs with right now, at this point are acceptable, as well. This study addresses the issue of whether Turkish learners of English know the restrictions concerning the use of time adverbials with aspectual classes, and if so, to what extent they understand and use them. The relationship between the comprehension and production of time adverbials in English sentences including aspectual classes and the learners ’ proficiency level in general is also examined in the study