See somebody do and see somebody doing

See somebody do and see somebody doing

A. Study this example situation:

Tom got into his car and drove away. You saw this. You can say:

* I saw Tom get into his car and drive away.

In this structure we use get/drive/do etc. (infinitive without 'to'):

Somebody did something + I saw this = I saw somebody do something.

Note that we use the infinitive without to:

* We saw them go out. (not 'to go')

But after a passive ('they were seen') etc., we use to:

* They were seen to go out.

B. Study this example situation:

Yesterday you saw Ann. She was waiting for a bus. You can say:

* I saw Ann waiting for a bus.

In this structure we use ~ing (waiting):

Somebody was doing something + I saw this = I saw somebody doing something.

C. Study the difference in meaning between the two structures:

'I saw him do something' = he did something (past simple) and I saw this. I saw the complete action from

beginning to end:

* He fell off the wall. I saw this. -> I saw him fall off the wall.

* The accident happened. Did you see this? -> Did you see the accident happen?

'I saw him doing something' = he was doing something (past continuous) and I saw this. I saw him when he

was in the middle of doing it. This does not mean that I saw the complete action:

* He was walking along the street. + I saw this when I drove past in my car. = I saw him walking along the

street.

Sometimes the difference is not important and you can use either form:

* I've never seen her dance. or I've never seen her dancing.

D. We use these structures with see and hear, and a number of other verbs:

* I didn't hear you come in.

* Liz suddenly felt something touch her on the shoulder.

* Did you notice anyone go out?

* I could hear it raining.

* The missing boys were last seen playing near the river.

* Listen to the birds singing!

* Can you smell something burning?

* I found Sue in my room reading my letters.