[Grammar] seeing him leave/seeing him left

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persianfriend71

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Hi. Which One is correct? Why?
1. They reported seeing him leave with a stranger.
2. They reported seeing him left with a stranger.
 
Re: verb tense

#1 is correct. The second verb after a causative verb (seeing) should be in the infinitive form.
 
Re: verb tense

The first is correct and the meaning is straightforward. He was seen leaving in the company of a stranger.

The second may appear wrong, but it is actually possible. However, the meaning would be different.
For example, think of a missing baby. The parents decide to leave the baby with a stranger. Someone sees that and later recounts it to the police. A newspaper story about that might read: "They reported seeing him left with a stranger".
 
Please note that I have improved your thread title.
 
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