Does
this idea ever occur to you that a tense would be more capable than we have thought? It not only tells the time
of a single sentence, but actually also tells the time relation of a sequence of sentences, a paragraph. In this
case, it is not a good idea to explain tense with a single, selected-out sentence as example illustrating a tense.
A tense, even a single tense, shall be explained by sentences, so we can see the time relation between them. Try
to find a grammar that explains tenses in paragraph (more than one sentence), and you will see a clearer face of
the tenses -- instantly. Ex: If you want to say that something is always or generally
true, you use the simple present, e.g. Near the equator, the sun evaporates greater quantities of water. Would somebody please tell me, in which meeting, you used
just only one sentence and kept silent? Please tell me, in which book, you see just only one sentence? I do not say there are less chances for the existence
of one powerful standing-alone sentence, though.
A question about tenses (10): A clearer face of tense
We easily fall in the pattern grammarians have prepared for those who follow their tense system: arguing the meaning
of the tense with one isolated sentence.
Really, who has set the stipulation for us to explain the
tenses in only one isolated sentence? Why on earth do we give up the freedom of using more than one sentence for
discussion?
Please do me a favor, let me know if there is one of such grammars as viewing tenses in relation of the paragraph,
rather than a selected sentence. You see, I collect rare books of this kind. Please send examples also, and do not send just the name of the book.
Shun Tang
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