[Grammar] didn't see you come/coming

Status
Not open for further replies.

Will17

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
French
Home Country
France
Current Location
UK
Hello!

Can we use the infinitive and gerund forms interchangeably here, please?

"Oh, I didn't see you come/coming".

Thank you very much.

Will
 

Allen165

Key Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Switzerland
Hello!

Can we use the infinitive and gerund forms interchangeably here, please?

"Oh, I didn't see you come/coming".

Thank you very much.

Will

Il nous faut du context.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Hello!

Can we use the infinitive and gerund forms interchangeably here, please?

"Oh, I didn't see you come/coming".

Thank you very much.

Will

We would like some context in English please! ;-)
 

Will17

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
French
Home Country
France
Current Location
UK
Thank you.

Let's imagine someone puts their hand on my shoulder, startles me and turning around I say : "Oh I didn't see you come" (I would use "come" in this case, am I right? )

Thank you
Will
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Thank you.

Let's imagine someone puts their hand on my shoulder, startles me and turning around I say : "Oh I didn't see you come" (I would use "come" in this case, am I right? )

Thank you
Will

If someone came up from behind me and startled me, I would say "I didn't hear you coming!" If I had had my back to them, it would be pretty clear that I couldn't have seen them coming.

If they appeared at my side or even right in front of me without my noticing, then I would probably use "I didn't see you coming".

If I were in a classroom or business meeting and someone suddenly tapped me on the shoulder but I hadn't previously noticed them, I would use "I didn't see you come in" (ie I didn't notice you enter the room).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top