In linguistics, T
AST (always written as uppercase T plus uppercase AST in subscript) is an abbreviation for the time of assertion, a secondary temporal reference in establishing tense.
Grammatical tense
In grammar, tense is a grammatical category, category that expresses time reference. Tenses are usually manifested by the use of specific forms of verbs, particularly in their grammatical conjugation, conjugation patterns.
The main tenses foun ...
represents the contrast between two measurements along the timeline of an utterance, with one of those measurements being the
time of utterance T
UTT (the time at which the actual utterance is made). T
UTT is always the primary point of reference for tense. There are three additional references to which T
UTT can be contrasted: T
AST — the time of assertion, T
COM — the
time of completion, and T
EVL — the
time of evaluation; these are secondary references. The type used for the secondary reference is determined by aspect and type of utterance.
T
AST is the time at which the action of a verb takes place. It can be a single point in time (in the non-durational aspects) such as in English “I had dinner at 5pm.” Or, it can be a range of time (in the durational aspects) such as “I was eating dinner from 5 till 7.”
References
*Mezhevich, Ilana (2008) Time-Relational Approach to Tense and Mood.
*Bybee, Joan (1995) Modality & Grammar in Discourse. Amsterdam, John Benjamins.
*Ward, Drew (2009) An Inventory & Discussion of English Futurity. CALLE
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Time in linguistics