[Grammar] noticed the volunteers listen

[Oceanlike]

- He noticed several participants take (or taking) notes"

I think “taking" sounds better, but is "take" wrong?

I thought "noticed" is a verb of perception, so both "take" and "taking" are acceptable.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

In general, taking suggests that they have not yet finished taking the tests, and take suggests that they have finished.

But your comment on verbs of perception is interesting. You might be on to something. Let's see what our resident grammarians say.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, use taking, as Charlie says. The idea seems to be that he saw the participants' action(s) in progress.

Did you make up this sentence yourself, Oceanlike?

 

[tzfujimino]

It says "take (or taking) notes", Charlie.

Not a grammarian

 

[Oceanlike]

Did you make up this sentence yourself, Oceanlike?

Yes, I made it up myself.

 

[Oceanlike]

It says "take (or taking) notes", Charlie.

To clarify, I meant "writing" (when I use "taking") notes.