In:Thinking and Speaking About Time: A cognitive linguistic approach
Edited by Rita Brdar-Szabó and Mario Brdar
[Human Cognitive Processing 81] 2026
► pp. 400–420
Chapter 15When to open the internal time window?
On the contextual functions of the progressive form in Finnish
Published online: 27 January 2026
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.81.15oni
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.81.15oni
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the contextual functions
of the progressive construction in Finnish in the framework of
Cognitive Grammar. The construction, consisting of the verb
olla ‘to be’ and MA-infinitive in the inessive
case form, is not obligatory. The progressive construction is first
put in the framework of other stative constructions. The data comes
mainly from dialectal interviews. The analysis reveals several
functions related to the structure of narration, and to the
argumentative structure of discourse. Consequently, backgrounding
and foregrounding appear to be in a continuum-like relationship in
motivating the use of the progressive.
Keywords: aspect, Cognitive Grammar, stative construction
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.The progressive construction in Finnish and the data of analysis
- 3.Division of labour between stative constructions
- 4.Grammatical functions of the progressive construction
- 5.Contextual functions of the progressive construction
- 6.Conclusions
Notes Abbreviations References Sources
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