| Chinese abstract | 第1-5页 |
| English abstract | 第5-9页 |
| Introduction | 第9-12页 |
| Chapter 1 Literature review | 第12-24页 |
| ·Origin of aspect | 第12-13页 |
| ·Different opinions about English aspect system in history | 第13-18页 |
| ·Two beliefs concerning the existence of aspect | 第14-15页 |
| ·Two opinions on the independent existence of aspect | 第15-18页 |
| ·Classification of aspect system | 第18-20页 |
| ·Previous study results on progressive aspect | 第20-22页 |
| ·Definitions of progressive aspect used in this paper | 第22-24页 |
| Chapter 2 The meanings of progressive aspect marker | 第24-45页 |
| ·Quirk’s framework of aspect | 第24-28页 |
| ·Semantic components of progressive aspect | 第25-27页 |
| ·Situation types of verbs | 第27-28页 |
| ·Exploration on the meanings of progressive aspect | 第28-40页 |
| ·Progressive aspect with dynamic verbs | 第30-34页 |
| ·Progressive aspect with stative verbs | 第34-40页 |
| ·Other factors influencing the interpretations of progressive | 第40-45页 |
| ·The subject | 第41-42页 |
| ·The object | 第42-44页 |
| ·The adverbial | 第44-45页 |
| Chapter 3 The semantic essence of progressive aspect | 第45-50页 |
| ·Progressive aspect incompatible with stative verbs | 第45-47页 |
| ·Progressive aspect incompatible with momentary verbs | 第47-48页 |
| ·Progressive aspect incompatible with the whole of dynamic situations | 第48页 |
| ·Progressive aspect and process meaning | 第48-50页 |
| Chapter 4 Pragmatic functions of progressive aspect | 第50-58页 |
| ·Vivid description | 第50-51页 |
| ·Polite expression | 第51-53页 |
| ·Emphasizing temporariness | 第53页 |
| ·Expressing attitudes or moods | 第53-55页 |
| ·The cohesive function | 第55-58页 |
| Chapter 5 Implications and significance | 第58-61页 |
| ·Implication for English-Chinese translation | 第58-59页 |
| ·Implications for effective communication | 第59-61页 |
| Conclusions | 第61-63页 |
| References | 第63-67页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第67页 |
