Nonsemelfactive

Nonsemelfactive is a term used in event semantics and linguistic aspect to describe predicates whose events are not instantaneous or punctual. It is defined in contrast to semelfactive predicates, which denote single, discrete occurrences that happen at a single point in time (for example, a single knock or a blink). Nonsemelfactive predicates typically depict events with temporal extent, such as activities that unfold over time or situations that involve repetition or progression.

Key characteristics include a sense of durationality or iterative structure. Activities like sleep, walk, or read for an hour are commonly analyzed as nonsemelfactive because they extend over time rather than occurring as a single moment. Some nonsemelfactive events can be telic or culminate at a boundary when framed by certain contexts or modifiers, while others are atelic and can continue indefinitely. The classification helps describe how different verbs interact with tense, aspect, and other temporal operators, and how adverbials of duration or frequency affect their interpretation.

Cross-linguistic work shows that many languages encode semelfactive and nonsemelfactive readings through aspectual systems, morphological markings, or dedicated verb classes. The distinction aids in explaining phenomena such as how a language marks repeated actions, habitual readings, or the duration of an event, and how these readings influence the perceived punctuality of an event.

Examples of nonsemelfactive readings include: She slept for eight hours; They read the manuscript over the weekend; The river flowed downstream. By contrast, semelfactive readings would involve a single, momentary event like a quick knock or a blink. See also: semelfactive, aspect, event structure, telicity.