#1  
Old 12-Sep-2006, 03:16
krj krj is offline
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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  
Old 12-Sep-2006, 05:38
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Default Re: Do, Doing

Hi krj,
Yes, they are. The so-called Complex Object .
Cheers
  #3  
Old 12-Sep-2006, 12:37
krj krj is offline
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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  
Old 12-Sep-2006, 16:11
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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  
Old 13-Sep-2006, 03:59
krj krj is offline
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Default Re: Do, Doing

Many tks!
  #6  
Old 13-Sep-2006, 17:02
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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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