UNVEILING TEMPORAL NUANCES: A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLORATION OF PAST AND PAST PERFECT TENSE DIFFERENTIATION

Abstract

                     This study investigates the nuanced distinctions between the past tense and past perfect tense in English, examining their grammatical structures, contextual applications, and communicative roles. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research assesses the tense differentiation proficiency of 200 second-language English learners at Shrimathi Devkunvar Nanalal Bhatt Vaishnav College, Chennai, through a structured questionnaire, pragmatic context assessments, and metaphor interpretation tasks. Findings reveal a strong correlation between language proficiency and tense accuracy, with instructional interventions significantly enhancing differentiation skills. Cross-linguistic influences, particularly from Indian languages like Tamil and Hindi, pose unique challenges, underscoring the need for culturally tailored pedagogy. This study also explores cognitive metaphors, pragmatic contexts, and neurocognitive mechanisms, offering a holistic perspective on tense comprehension. Practical recommendations for language educators and contributions to applied linguistics are provided, addressing gaps in the Indian context.