Abstract: The terms ‘Tense’
and ‘Aspect’ are two interrelated grammatical elements which are closely
connected. Tense denotes the direction of an action or an event in time.
However, Aspect indicates how an action is to be viewed with respect to
time rather than to its real direction in time. The distinction between the two
categories is, ‘tense’ shows the direction of an action in time whereas
‘aspect’ shows how the action is to be perceived with time. Therefore, ‘Tense’
and ‘Aspect’ as relevant grammatical elements in English language
imposed lots of problems to both teachers and learners of English language as a
Second Language. This is one of the commonest areas in which many Nigerian
Students commit lots of errors, or experience numerous problems which many
teachers of English find very difficult to remedy. This Study therefore,
investigated Tense and Aspect problems found in Zamfara North
Senatorial District; which include Birnin Magaji, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi and
Zurmi Local Government Areas. The study explores the nature of such errors, the
frequency of their occurrences, their underlying causes as well as proffers
some pedagogical solutions. The main aim is to investigate and analyse the tense
and aspect problems of some selected Secondary Schools in Zamfara North
Senatorial District. The objectives,
however, included the types of grammatical errors of tense and aspect
in both written and spoken forms. It also provided corrective
measures and proffered solutions or remedies to the errors in the students’
writing. Also, SSPS model was adopted to facilitate correct data analysis. The
outcomes of this research included; difficulties in the use of appropriate tenses
and aspect by both teachers and learners, problems of second language
interference, poor models usage e.t.c. The research recommended that students
at SSS levels should be introduced to numerous exercises in English such as
reading, storytelling/writing, literary and debating competitions within the
schools, at local government and state levels, all for the students to have
good command of the Language in both written and spoken mode.
Keywords:
Tenses, Aspect, Errors, Homogenous Senior Secondary Schools Students.
DOI: 10.36349/zamijoh.2026.v04i02.001
author/Nasir Y. M. & Badaru A.
journal/Zamfara IJOH Vol. 4, Issue 2
