See someone do and see someone doing

UNIT 63   See someone do and see someone 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 the base form (get, drive, etc.):

Someone did something.}
                                            } I saw someone do something.
I saw this.                          }    

Remember that we use the base form (not to):

• I saw her go out. (not to go out)

B.   Now 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)
Someone was doing something.}
                                                          } I saw someone doing something.
I saw this.                                        }


C.   Now study the difference in meaning between the two structures:"I saw him do something''= he did something (simple past) and I saw this. I saw the complete action from beginning to end:

• He fell to the ground. I saw this. = I saw him fall to the ground.

• The accident happened. We saw this. = We saw the accident happen.

''I saw her doing something'' = she was doing something (past continuous) and I saw this. I saw her when she was in the middle of doing something. This does not mean that I saw the complete action:

• She was walking along the street. I saw this when I drove past in my car. = I saw her walking along the street

The difference is not always important. Sometimes you can use either form:

• I've never seen Tom dance.    or     I've never seen Tom dancing.

D.   we use these structures especially with see and hear, and also with watch, listen to, feel, and notice:

• I didn't hear you come in.

• I could hear it raining.

• He suddenly felt someone touch him on the shoulder.

• The missing girls were last seen playing near the river.

• Did you notice anyone go out?

• Listen to the birds singing!

After smell and find you can use the -ing structure only:

• Can you smell something burning?

• She found him reading her letters.