Caught and saw

Question

I saw him stealing it.I saw a man wearing a brown shirt.I caught him stealing it.Now, I know that the sentences are correct. I would just like to know what is the English rule behind caught...stealing (past tense(object)continuous tense).Is it gerund or something like that?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

These are called catenatives. It's a "chain of verbs".

There are eight basic patterns.

Every verb has its own properties with regard to these patterns.

Some verbs can only be used in one of these patterns; some can be used in several.

Each verb has to be learned separately.

catch, for example, if used as a catenative, can only be used in Pattern 7.

NP = noun phrase; usually a noun or pronoun (objective case).

-en form = past participle

1. Verb1 Verb2 base form with to

2. Verb1 Verb2 base form without to

3. Verb1 Verb2 -ing form

4. Verb1 Verb2 -en form

5. Verb1 NP Verb2 base form with to

6. Verb1 NP Verb2 base form without to

7. Verb1 NP Verb2 -ing form

8. Verb1 NP Verb2 -en form

Examples.

1. I hoped to repair it.

2. I helped repair it.

3. He started repairing it.

4. The car got repaired.

5. She wanted George to decide.

6. They made us leave.

7. We caught them stealing it.

8. I had the fence painted.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

michaeltingI saw a man wearing a brown shirt.

Note that this is not a catenative pattern. This is a case of a participle clause that modifies the noun man. The meaning is the same as this relative clause construction:

I saw a man who was wearing a brown shirt.

CJ

Michaelting · Answer

thanks ! This is very clear.

Caught and saw

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