English
English is an example of a language with no general imperfective. The English progressive is used to describe ongoing events such as "The rain was beating down". Habitual situations do not have their own verb form, but the construction "used to" conveys past habitual action, as in "I used to ski". Unlike in languages with a general imperfective, in English the simple past tense can be used for situations presented as ongoing, such as "The rain beat down continuously through the night".
Read more about this topic: Imperfective Aspect
Famous quotes containing the word english:
“So is the English Parliament provincial. Mere country bumpkins, they betray themselves, when any more important question arises for them to settle, the Irish question, for instance,the English question why did I not say? Their natures are subdued to what they work in. Their good breeding respects only secondary objects.”
—Henry David Thoreau (18171862)
“The English like eccentrics. They just dont like them living next door.”
—Julian Clary (b. 1959)
“In ancient timestwas no great loss
They hung the thief upon the cross:
But now, alas!I sayt with grief
They hang the cross upon the thief.”
—Anonymous. On a Nomination to the Legion of Honour, from Aubrey Stewarts English Epigrams and Epitaphs (1897)