Aspects verbaux : accompli et inaccompli

Maîtriser les nuances aspectuelles en anglais : perfect, progressif et simple (programme de 1re LVA)

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Cette activité de compréhension sur « Aspects verbaux : accompli et inaccompli » en première entraîne à lire, analyser et répondre à des questions en anglais (LVA). Elle suit le programme officiel de première. Au programme : Notion d'aspect verbal : accompli vs inaccompli, L'aspect simple : faits et habitudes, L'aspect progressif (be + V-ing) : l'action en cours, Le present perfect (have + V-ed) : l'accompli ancré au présent. Lis le document, réponds puis vérifie immédiatement tes réponses pour progresser. Un bon moyen de travailler la méthode, d'enrichir son vocabulaire et de préparer les contrôles. Ressource gratuite proposée par un professeur particulier à Marseille pour réussir en anglais (LVA) en première.

1Read the following extract from a personal essay, then answer the questions. Pay particular attention to the verbal aspects used.

By the time I turned eighteen, I had already visited twelve countries. My parents had been travelling since before I was born — my mother had worked as a journalist in East Asia, and my father had lived in several African cities. So wandering was in my blood.
I have always believed that travel changes you. Last summer, I spent three months in a small village in rural India. I was learning to cook local dishes, helping at the village school, and slowly understanding a different way of life. It was there that I realised how much I had taken for granted back home.
Since returning, my perspective has shifted considerably. I have been thinking about what truly matters, and I have started to see everyday life with new eyes.

2Questions

Q1 What aspect is used in 'I had already visited twelve countries'? What does it express here?

Q2 Find two examples of the past progressive in the text and explain their use.

Q3 Why does the author use the present perfect in 'my perspective has shifted'? What does it imply?

Q4 Identify the tense and aspect of 'I have been thinking' and explain the nuance compared to 'I have thought'.

Q5 Translate into French: 'Since returning, my perspective has shifted considerably.' Pay attention to the choice of tense in French.

Voir le corrigé

Réponse libre — exemple : Past perfect. It expresses that the action (visiting countries) was completed before the reference point (turning eighteen) — it marks anteriority in the past.
Réponse libre — exemple : 'I was learning to cook local dishes' and 'helping at the village school' (and 'slowly understanding'). These past progressives describe ongoing, background activities during his stay in India — they present actions in progress at a past reference time.
Réponse libre — exemple : The present perfect links the past action (the shift in perspective) to the present moment, implying the change is still relevant and visible now. The author is still experiencing this new perspective.
Réponse libre — exemple : 'Have been thinking' = present perfect progressive. It emphasises the ongoing duration of the thinking process up to now, suggesting it is still happening. 'Have thought' (present perfect simple) would simply state the completed action without insisting on duration or continuity.
Depuis mon retour, ma perspective a considérablement changé. — Present perfect en anglais = passé composé en français pour exprimer l'action passée à résultat présent.

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