Easy Word | Luyện ngữ pháp


Luyện ngữ pháp - English Grammar in Use (Unit 67: See somebody do and see somebody doing)


A

Study this example situation:

Tom got into his car and drove away. You saw this.
You can say: I saw Tom get into his car and drive away.

In this structure we use get/drive/do etc.
(not to get / to drive / to do).

Somebody did something + I saw this
=> I saw somebody do something


But after a passive ('he was seen' etc.), we use to:
  • He was seen to get in the car.
B

Study this example situation:

Yesterday you saw Kate. She was waiting for a bus.
You can say: I saw Kate waiting for a bus.

In this structure we use -ing (waiting/doing etc.):

Somebody was doing something + I saw this
=> I saw somebody doing something
C

Study the difference in meaning between the two structures:

I saw him do something = he did something (past simple) and I saw this. I saw the complete action from beginning to end:
  • He fell off the wall. I saw this. → I saw him fall off the wall.
  • The accident happened. Did you see it? → Did you see the accident happen?

I saw him doing something = he was doing something (past continuous) and I saw this. I saw him when he was in the middle of doing it. This does not mean that I saw the complete action:
  • He was walking along the street.
    I saw this when I drove past in my car.
    ==> I saw him walking along the street.

Sometimes the difference is not important and you can use either form:
  • I've never seen her dance. or I've never seen her dancing.
D
We use these structures with see and hear, and a number of other verbs:
  • I didn't hear you come in. (you came in - I didn't hear this)
  • Lisa suddenly felt somebody touch her on the shoulder.
  • Did you notice anyone go out?
  • I could hear it raining. (it was raining - I could hear it)
  • A man was seen running away a short time after the break-in.
  • Listen to the birds singing!
  • Can you smell something burning?
  • We looked everywhere for Paul, and finally we found him sitting under a tree in the garden and eating an apple.
Exercises - 67.1


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