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Transposition of verbs

Transposition of verbs is even more varied than that of nouns. It is ex­plained by a greater number of grammatical categories the meanings of which may be transposed. Most expressive are tense forms, mood forms and voice forms. One of peculiar features of English tense forms is their polysemantism. The same form may realize various meanings in speech. Deviation from the general (most frequently realized) meaning makes verbs stylistically coloured. Commonly, the present continuous tense denotes an action which takes place at the moment of speaking. But it may also denote a habitual action (John is constantly grumbling), an action which occupies a long period of time (Sam is wooing Mary now), and an action of the near future (Pete is starting a new life tomorrow). In such cases the present continuous tense becomes synonymous with the present or future indefinite. But there is a difference. While the sentence "John constantly grumbles" is a mere statement, the sentence "John is constantly grumbling " introduces the negative connota­tions of irritation, condemnation, regret, sadness and others.

There is a rule that verbs of sense perception and mental activity are not used in the continuous tense forms. This rule is often broken by the speaker intentionally or subconsciously. In both cases verbal forms convey additional stylistic meanings of subjective modality (I am seeing you = / am not blind; I am understanding you = You need not go into further details; I am feeling your touch = So tender you are_t etc.).

One of peculiar verbal transpositions is the change of temporary planes of narration when events of the past or future are described by present tense forms. Such transposition brightens the narration, raises its emotional tension, expresses intrigue, makes the continuity of events visual and graphic: It was yesterday and looked this way. The perpetrator comes to his victim, takes a long dagger out of his inner pocket and stabs the poor man right into his belly without saying a word. The man falls down like a sack, a foun­tain of blood spurting from the wound.

Transposition is not the only way to make verbs expressive. A good many verbal forms are expressive in themselves. The imperative mood forms are not just commands, invitations, requests or prohibitions. They are a perfect means of rendering an abundance of human emotions. The sentence Just come to me now may contextually imply love or hate, threat or warning, promise or desire. A wide range of subjunctive mood forms offers a good stylistic choice of synonymous ways to verbalize one and the same idea. Compare the following synonymous pairs of sentences: It is time for me to go = It is time that I went; It is necessary for him to come = It is neces­sary that he come; We must go now not to be late = We must go now lest we be late; Let it be = So be it The first sentence of each pair is stylistically neutral while the second sentence is either bookish or obsolescent. In many contexts passive verbal forms are more expressive than their active counterparts. Compare: A round table occupied the centre of the room = The centre of the room was occupied by a round table; They answered him tothing = He was answered nothing; They forgave him his rudeness = ie was forgiven his rudeness