the verb go

[Anonymous]

If the sun "goes" down, why is it that I watch the sun "go" down and not watch the sun "goes" down?

[MikeNewYork]

If the sun "goes" down, why is it that I watch the sun "go" down and not watch the sun "goes" down?

Good question. When "go" is the main verb in a sentence or clause, it takes an -es in the third person singular. In this case, "go" is a bare infinitive (no "to" marker), which is never inflected. The construction

watch/see + object/person + infinitive/gerund

is very common.

[bmo]

So are "I watch the sun go down" and "I watch the sun going down" the same?

BMO

[MikeNewYork]

So are "I watch the sun go down" and "I watch the sun going down" the same?

BMO

Pretty much the same. In many cases there is a difference in meaning between an infinitive and a gerund, but this difference varies from very subtle to profound. In this case, there really is not an appreciable difference.

[bmo]

Thanks. BMO

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks. BMO

You're welcome, BMO. :)

[Tdol]

'Going' might imply duration.