Speaking: Grammar in Speaking C1 - Lesson 2: Mastering Nuances of All Tenses & Aspects

C1

Grammar Nuances

ភាពលម្អិតនៃកាលនិងទម្រង់

🎯 Objective / គោលបំណង:

Use tenses for Distance (Politeness) and Focus (Aspect), not just time.

💬 Scenario: The Missed Deadline

Sophea Distancing "Hi David. I was wondering if you had a moment?"

(Past Continuous = Less direct, more polite than "I wonder".)

David (Manager) "Sure. What's the status of the report?"

Sophea Failed Plan "Well, I had hoped to finish it today, but the data was corrupt."

(Past Perfect = A plan that did not happen.)

David "So you haven't finished?"

Sophea Focus: Effort "Not yet. But I have been working on it all week."

(Pres. Perf. Continuous = Emphasizes the duration/effort, not the result.)

Tense as Strategy

1. Past for Politeness

We use past tenses to create "distance" from the present reality. This makes a request sound less aggressive.

Direct: "I want to ask..." (Aggressive)
Polite: "I wanted to ask..." (Softer)
C2 Polite: "I was hoping to ask..." (Very soft)

2. Future in the Past (Failed Plans)

Use was/were going to or had intended to to describe something you planned but didn't do.

"I was going to call you, but my phone died."
"I had meant to send that email."

3. Continuous Aspect (The Grind)

Use continuous forms to emphasize the activity, effort, or temporary nature, rather than the completion.

"I've read the book." (Completion/Result)
"I've been reading the book." (Activity/Duration)

Select the Best Tense

Goal: Ask your boss for a favor politely.

A. "I hope you can help me." (Too direct)

B. "I was hoping you could help me." (Perfect distance)

C. "I had hoped you help me." (Sounds like a failed plan)

Goal: Explain why you missed the party (Failed Plan).

A. "I am going to come."

B. "I was going to come, but I got sick."

C. "I came, but I got sick."