A expressão da iteração pelas perífrases verbais
Verbal periphrases expressing iterativity

Summary/Abstract: The article is an attempt to analyse several verbal periphrases which represent one of aspectual values, namely iterativity. The study is based on the views and assumptions of such linguists as A. T. de Castilho (1967), B. Hlibowicka-Węglarz (1998), J. Almeida (1980), J. Roca Pons (1958). In terms of the intensity of repetition, the division of iterativity proposed by A.T. De Castilho has been adopted, in which the finite and infinite iterative aspectual values are recognised according to the repetition of durative or punctual situations. All observations have been illustrated with examples from contemporary literary texts. Starting with the premise that the aspectual value of each of the analysed periphrases is the value of the configuration of its two components (the auxiliary verb and the main verb), it was found that the Portuguese language possesses verbal periphrases which express the iterative aspectual value even in the absence of other elements in a sentence. The analysis also revealed that verbal periphrases representing other aspectual values may express iterativity when accompanied by such exponents as an appropriate tense or adverbial phrases. The compatibility of the analysed auxiliary verbs with the four aspectual classes proposed by Z. Vendler was another issue taken into account in the analysis. The analysis led to the conclusion that verbal periphrases are one of the most representative means of expressing iterativity in Portuguese.

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