Original scientific paper
The concept of Completivity (Perfectivity) in Croatian verbal tenses: Perfect vs. Non-Perfect Tenses
Sunil Kumar Bhatt
Abstract
The concept of completivity (perfectivity) is very significant in defining the verbal tenses in
Croatian. Its introduction into the temporal system helps in defining the structure of the
verbal system and also helps in better understanding of verbal paradigms individually and
in relation with each other. Completivity and non-completivity, i. e. perfectivity and non-
perfectivity can be defined with the help of two points of time in relation with each other: the
event time and the reference time. If the event time is prior to the reference time, the action
is perfect; on the other hand, if the reference time is at the same point with event time or
sometimes prior to event time, the action is non-perfect. This concept is not new to the Croatian
linguists, Musić, Katičić and others in their works have dealt with this problem.
Keywords
completivity (linguistics); verbal tenses; Croatian
Hrčak ID:
16334
URI
Publication date:
20.9.2002.
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