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Thread: Do, Doing

  1. #1
    krj
    krj is offline Newbie
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    Default Do, Doing

    Hi
    Can you tell me if these two sentences are grammatically correct.

    It was Paul. I saw him do it.

    It was Paul. I saw him doing it.

    Tks!

  2. #2
    Humble is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Do, Doing

    Hi krj,
    Yes, they are. The so-called Complex Object .
    Cheers

  3. #3
    krj
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    Default Re: Do, Doing

    Thanks, but if we are given the abv question which we can only choose either 'do' or 'doing' . Do they have different meanings? Can you elaborate on 'complex object'.

    Rgds

  4. #4
    Teia is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Do, Doing

    Quote Originally Posted by krj View Post
    Thanks, but if we are given the abv question which we can only choose either 'do' or 'doing' . Do they have different meanings? Can you elaborate on 'complex object'.

    Rgds
    Hi Krj


    I saw him do it.- one - time action . e.g.:I saw him when he broke the door and entered the house.[ and nothing more]

    I saw him doing it. - a continuous action - e.g. I saw him while he was digging in the garden.

    Best wishes,

  5. #5
    krj
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    Default Re: Do, Doing

    Many tks!

  6. #6
    Teia is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Do, Doing

    Hi Krj

    You are always welcome.

    Here are some more examples :

    He heard the victim shouting for help. [continuous action]
    He heard the victim shout for help. [ one-time action]
    Mary saw the children jumping on the bed.[continuous action]
    Mary saw the children jump on the bed [one-time action]

    Obs.: Sometimes the simple-verb version might seem unconventional, so it`s safer in most cases to use the gerund version.

    Best wishes
    Last edited by Teia; 13-Sep-2006 at 17:17.

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