Discusses the semantic functions of the English future formations: "will/shall,""to be going to," and the present tense. Points out that these all have modal as well as temporal significance, making the traditional teaching of the English future imprecise and misleading. (IFS/WGA)

Applies Reid's notion of verbal focus to explain the distinction between preterite (high focus) and imperfect (low focus) to determine tense in Spanish. Data from two contemporary short stories document variables affecting focus. Techniques for teaching preterite and imperfect and some class activities are suggested. (LMO)

A solution is proposed to the traditional, unexplained use of optional backshifting in teaching past tenses of English verbs. The solution is based on correct and explicit formulation of the past tense examples used, so that optional backshifting would be unnecessary and inappropriate. (MSE)