[Grammar] didn't see you come/coming

[Will17]

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]

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.

 

[bhaisahab]

Il nous faut du context.

"contexte"

 

[Allen165]

"contexte"

Spelling was never my forte, especially in French; diacritical marks are optional for me. ;-)

 

[emsr2d2]

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]

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]

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).