The Functioning of Temporal Forms in Different Types of Discourse: Features of the Use of Futur Antérieur and Passé Simple in French

Abstract

One of the central concerns of discourse analysis is the examination of how grammatical forms function across various types of discourse. A verb form may assume significantly different semantic and pragmatic roles depending on the discourse context. The functioning of verb tense forms depends on the structure of the text, its purposes, stylistic norms, and the form of speech (formal, spontaneous, written, or oral). It is especially interesting to discuss those forms that are relatively rare in everyday speech, although they carry significant semantic load. This article offers a comparative analysis of the verb forms futur antérieur and passé simple in two distinct discourse types: printed press texts and spontaneous written communication, including user comments, online reviews, and other unedited texts. In press discourse, both forms exhibit not only temporal but also modal and evaluative functions, while in spontaneous written discourse, they appear less frequently or undergo functional shifts. This variation underscores the fact that the function of a verb form is not fixed but is contingent upon the discursive environment, communicative intent, and broader social context.