Do, Doing

[krj]

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!

[Humble]

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

[krj]

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

[Teia]

Originally Posted by krj

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,

[krj]

Many tks!

[Teia]

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