Caught or catch?

Question

Hi, can anybody shed some light on the reason why 'catch' is used instead of 'caught' ?
Thank you.

Frank: Hey, look at that guy fly!
Jerry: What a catch! Jim isn't very tall, but he sure can run.
Frank: I saw someone just like him catch a frisbee on TV once, except it was a dog, not a man!

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
Welcome to the Forum.

I just answered this in your other thread.

Clive

Kooyeen · Answer

Hi Malibu,
and welcome to EnglishForward.com!

malibu_and_applesFrank: I saw someone just like him catch a frisbee on TV once, except it was a dog, not a man!

The reason is that the structure that is being used is "see + object + bare infinitive of the verb", so:

I would like to see Mary smile at me.
I saw your mom cross the road earlier.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

malibu_and_applesHi, can anybody shed some light on the reason why 'catch' was used instead of 'caught' ?
Thank you.

Frank: Hey, look at that guy fly!
Jerry: What a catch! Jim isn't very tall, but he sure can run. Catch is a noun. It is the successful result of grabbing an flying object from out of the air.
Frank: I saw someone just like him catch a frisbee on TV once, except it was a dog, not a man! The present tense is used because it is in a clause that is the direct object of the main verb, and it occurs in the present time relative to the main verb ("see"). It is similar to the reason that we use present tense in a quote that occurs in the past. Example: He said, "I like ice cream."
In a different construction, a relative clause, we use the past tense: Example: I saw the dog who caught the frisbee. Here, "dog" is the direct object, not the action.

Other people on the form might be able to give you a clearer explanation....

Malibu_and_apples · Answer

thank you all so much. I got it now. =)

Yoong Liat · Answer

Hi Malibu,

I saw someone (just like him) catch a frisbee

Someone was seen to catch a frisbee

I saw a cat catch a mouse.

A cat was seen to catch a mouse.

If you compare the sentences in the Passive Voice with those in the Active Voice, you will notice that 'catch' , NOT 'caught', should be used.

I hope the above gives you a clear picture.

Caught or catch?

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