Contrastive imagery as the basis of aspectual distinction

Aim . To consider the cognitive mechanisms underlying the formation of aspectual semantics of English tense-aspect grammatical constructions. Methodology . The research material comprises the definitions of key tense-aspect grammatical constructions, selected from English-English dictionaries and textbooks on English grammar by foreign authors. Using the methods of componential, cognitive and interpretive analysis of meanings, the levels of metaphorization reflecting the process of generating aspectual semantics are studied. Results . The study showed that the opposition of aspectual meanings is based on the contrast of images that form the meanings of grammatical constructions. Research implications . A methodology for analyzing the level-by-level construction of aspectual semantics has been developed. Conceptual schemes that reflect the contrasting images underlying the aspectual opposition are presented.