0
Boki Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Die versus Dying

"Would you rather see your friend dying?"

Is it grammatically correct to say this (with a thorough explanation, please)?

Or should it be:

"Would you rather see your friend die?"

Or, do both takes constitute as proper grammar?

Thanks,
boki
  

Top answer

Both are correct. Verbs of perception ( see, watch, hear ) are catenative. They take the bare infinitive or the -ing form.

— CalifJim

  • Both are correct.
  • Verbs of perception ( see, watch, hear ) are catenative.
  • They take the bare infinitive or the -ing form.
  • I [saw / watched / heard] (someone) [do / doing] (something).
  • She saw them take the money.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

5 Answers
0
Both are correct.

Verbs of perception (see, watch, hear) are catenative. They take the bare infinitive or the -ing form.

I [saw / watched / heard] (someone) [do / doing] (something).

She saw them take the money.
She saw them taking the money.
We will watch him plant the garden.
We will watch him planting the garden.
They heard us shout.
0
0
Oh! Excellent! Thanks so much, CJ!
0
0
Hi,
Another comment.

I saw my friend dying. I saw him in the process of dying, but I did not necessarily see him die.

I saw my friend die. I saw the actual event, the actual end of the process.
0
0
Good point Clive. There is a slight variation in meaning.

Now I'm just wondering... which meaning would be more commonly used in this context - if either in preference?
0
0
Hi,
There is a slight variation in meaning.

Now I'm just wondering... which meaning would be more commonly used in this context - if either in preference?
You didn't really offer a context. You just gave two questions.


Probably the Simple Present form
0

Related Questions