KOTESOL International Conference 2016
(Concurrent Session)
Yen-Yu Lin, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
A Corpus-Based Study on the Verbs in [HAVE V-ed] and [HAVE been V-ing]
Abstract
The present perfect is an area of English grammar that is problematic for learners. Most of the grammar lessons differentiate [HAVE V-ed] and [HAVE been V-ing] mainly through comparing the time periods they indicate (finished/unfinished). However, as Folse (2015) suggests, grammar and lexis are interrelated. This study investigated the difference between [HAVE V-ed] and [HAVE been V-ing] by examining the past/present participle of the principal verbs. The 450 million-word Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) served as the source data. The results show that, on the whole, [HAVE V-ed] and [HAVE been V-ing] are characterized by distinct types of verbs. Revealing the link between specific verb types and the two tenses, the current research can better facilitate the teaching and learning of the English present perfect.
Biographicals
Yen-Yu Lin is a PhD candidate at National Chengchi University, Taiwan. She has worked in higher education as an English Lecturer for eight years. Her research interests include Corpus Linguistics, Cognitive semantics, EAP, and issues surrounding English for research and publication purposes.
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