Non-aspectual

The term 'non-aspectual' describes a linguistic or semantic feature that does not concern the *aspect* of a verb. Aspect, in linguistics, refers to how an event or action unfolds in time; for example, whether it is ongoing (imperfective), completed (perfective), or habitual. A non-aspectual element, therefore, lacks information or relevance to these temporal dimensions. It is a descriptive characteristic that highlights the absence of focus on the internal temporal structure or development of an action or state. This absence distinguishes non-aspectual elements from those that actively convey or modify aspectual information. non-aspectual elements might convey other kinds of information: factual data, emotional coloring, relationships etc, but not information about whether the action is ongoing, finished, or iterative.

Non-aspectual meaning with examples

• Consider the noun phrase 'the red house.' The adjective 'red' is non-aspectual. It describes a property of the house, its color, but provides no information about the duration, completion, or any other temporal aspect of an action related to the house. Its meaning is static and outside the bounds of temporal characterization. The color itself is presented as constant.
• The statement 'He is tall' is non-aspectual. The adjective 'tall' describes a state of being, a characteristic, and does not imply an action that unfolds over time or possesses any temporal duration. It offers a timeless description and presents a static attribute. There is no temporal component to how tall someone is.
• In 'the belief in gravity' there is no aspect present. The noun phrase expresses a static concept, a state of acceptance or understanding rather than an ongoing process or an event with internal temporal structure. The belief has no beginning, middle, or end as the word is used.
• The prepositional phrase 'in the garden' is also non-aspectual, as the phrase is only describing the location of something or someone. It specifies a spatial relation. While actions might *occur* in the garden, the phrase itself doesn't reference anything that has duration or temporal development, only location.