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Navitasan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

But I saw Jeff

1) Tom, I didn't see playing baseball, but Jeff, I did.
2) Tom, I didn't see playing baseball, but Jeff, I saw.
3) .I didn't see Tom playing baseball, but I did Jeff.
4) I didn't see Tom playing baseball, but I saw Jeff.

In which of the above cases:
a) I saw Jeff playing baseball
and in which:
b) I saw him (maybe he was playing baseball and maybe he wasn't)

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

Hey. First two are incorrect, the positioning of words in the sentence is all wrong. English is rather strict as to where each word fits.

— Fandorin

  • Hey.
  • First two are incorrect, the positioning of words in the sentence is all wrong.
  • English is rather strict as to where each word fits.
  • As to the questions you have: a) Number 3 and 4 fits.
  • b) Neither of those fits the case.
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2 Answers
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Hey. First two are incorrect, the positioning of words in the sentence is all wrong. English is rather strict as to where each word fits.
As to the questions you have:
a) Number 3 and 4 fits.
b) Neither of those fits the case. I didn't see Tom playing baseball, but Jeff might have.
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1 and 2 are an idiomatic speech-only form of utterance.
3 and 4 are more standard.

1/2/3/4 all state or imply that Jeff was playing baseball. If he wasn't,one would naturally say it another way.
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