Wednesday 28 February 2018

Material Process: Simple Present Tense (Marked)

Halliday & Matthiessen (2014: 254-5, 255n):
The simple present with a material process is general or habitual – that is, the occurrence of the process is construed as generalised or as habitual, e.g. they build a house for every employee. … 
In addition, there is a registerially restricted use of the simple present tense. In commentary accompanying demonstrations and the like, the simple present is used.