067 : 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.

(not  to get / to drive / to do).

 

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

But after apassive ('he was seen' etc.), we use to:

• He was seen to get in the car.

 

 

   B   

Study this example situation:

 

Yesterday you saw Kate. She was waiting for a bus.

You can say: I saw Kate waiting for a bus.

 

In this structure we use -ing (waiting/doing etc.):

 

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 it? → 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. (you came in - I didn't hear this)
• Lisa suddenly felt somebody touch her on the shoulder.
• Did you notice anyone go out?
• I could hear it raining. (it was raining - I could hear it)
• A man was seen running away a short time after the break-in.
• Listen to the birds singing!
• Can you smell something burning?
• We looked everywhere for Paul, and finally we found him sitting under a tree in the garden and eating an apple.