Lexical Aspect
B1
Aspect
1. Function
Lexical aspect shows how an action is internally structured, not when it happens. It answers questions such as:
Does the action have a natural endpoint?
Does it describe a state, a process, or an instant change?
Can it continue indefinitely, or does it necessarily finish?
Tense may stay the same.
The type of action changes.
2. Forms
Lexical aspect is not expressed by a single suffix.
It is expressed through:
the inherent meaning of the verb
the type of object (especially definite vs. indefinite)
quantity and boundaries
time expressions
No new tense or mood is introduced.
3. Morphology
There is no dedicated morpheme for lexical aspect.
The same grammatical material is used:
same tense markers
same person endings
same negation
Aspectual meaning emerges from structure and context.
4. Structural Guide
A key distinction:
Unbounded (Atelic) actions
→ no inherent endpoint
Bounded (Telic) actions
→ clear endpoint or result
This distinction maps directly onto Vendler’s classification.
5. Usage
Vendler’s Four Lexical Aspect Classes
A) States
Unbounded (Atelic), Durative, Non-agentive
Describe situations, conditions, or mental states.
They do not involve intentional action and do not naturally “finish.”
B) Activities
Unbounded (Atelic), Durative, Agentive
Describe ongoing actions controlled by the subject.
They can continue indefinitely.
C) Accomplishments
Bounded (Telic), Durative
Describe actions that:
take time
necessarily reach a result
The endpoint is often created by the object.
D) Achievements
Bounded (Telic), Punctual
Describe actions that:
happen instantly
mark a sudden change of state
Aspect Shift through Objects (CRITICAL RULE)
In Turkish, definite objects (Accusative –(y)I) often turn an Activity into an Accomplishment.
Indefinite object → Unbounded (Atelic)
Definite object → Bounded (Telic)
This is one of the main aspectual mechanisms in Turkish.
Diagnostic Tests (Aspect Tests)
Aspect types can be identified using time expressions:
Duration test: bir saat / bir yıl
→ compatible with Activities
In-X-time test: bir saatte
→ compatible with Accomplishments
Instant test: bir anda
→ compatible with Achievements
Examples
States
Ali İstanbul’da yaşıyor.
— State, no natural endpoint.
Bu evi seviyorum.
— Mental state.
Bir saat seviyorum ❌
— Duration test not natural.
Activities
Ali kitap okudu.
— Activity, no inherent endpoint.
Çocuklar parkta oynadı.
— Open-ended action.
Ali bir saat koştu.
— Duration test ✔️
Ali bir saatte koştu ❌
— No natural endpoint.
Accomplishments
Ali kitabı okudu.
— Definite object creates an endpoint.
Yemeği bitirdi.
— Result reached.
Ali kitabı bir saatte okudu.
— In-X-time test ✔️ (telic)
Achievements
Ali kapıyı açtı.
— Instant change of state.
Film başladı.
— Immediate transition.
Film bir anda başladı.
— Instant test ✔️
Aspect Shift (same verb)
Ali kitap okudu.
— Activity (Atelic)
Ali kitabı okudu.
— Accomplishment (Telic)
Ali bir saat kitap okudu.
— Activity limited by time
Ali kitabı bir saatte okudu.
— Completed action
Notes
Lexical aspect describes internal temporal structure, not tense.
States are typically non-agentive and do not respond clearly to duration or endpoint tests.
Activities, Accomplishments, and Achievements are agentive and more compatible with diagnostic tests.
States are often expressed with present tense (-yor) and can describe temporary situations (Bu aralar İstanbul’da yaşıyorum), without becoming Activities.
States and Activities are Unbounded (Atelic); Accomplishments and Achievements are Bounded (Telic).
In Turkish, definite objects (–(y)I) are a key trigger for aspect shift.
Time expressions are reliable diagnostic tools, but their applicability depends on verb type.
Lexical Aspect – FAQ (B1)
Q: What does lexical aspect describe in Turkish?
A: Lexical aspect describes how an action is internally structured, not when it happens. It focuses on whether an action has an endpoint, is ongoing, or happens instantly.
Q: How is lexical aspect expressed if there is no special suffix?
A: Lexical aspect is expressed through verb meaning, object type, quantity, and time expressions. The same tense and personal endings are used; only structure and context change the meaning.
Q: Why does a definite object change the meaning of an action?
A: A definite object marked with –(y)I often creates a clear endpoint. This turns an unbounded activity into a bounded, completed action.