Semelfactive

In linguistics, semelfactive is a class of aktionsart or lexical aspect (verb aspects that reflect the temporal flow of the denoted event, lexically incorporated into the verb's root itself rather than grammatically expressed by inflections or auxiliary verbs). The event represented by a semelfactive verb is punctual (instantaneous, taking just a moment), perfective (treated as a complete action with no explicit internal temporal structure), and atelic (not having an end). Semelfactive verbs include "blink", "sneeze", and "knock".

The idea of semelfactive as a category of lexical aspect was first posited by Bernard Comrie[1] in addition to the more commonly known categories such as verbs of Activity, Accomplishment, Achievement, and State. The term's use in the realm of grammatical aspect is analogous in meaning to "iterative".

References
  1. Bernard Comrie, 1976. Aspect. Cambridge University Press.

Further reading
  • Carlota Smith, 1991. The parameter of aspect. Kluwer.


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