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Marissko Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
flutter
The following is the line in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' Chapter 1.
None of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window.
I don't know why the author used the verb 'flutter' in the present tense. I think it is right using in the past tense 'fluttered' or a present participle 'fluttering'.
'tawny' is not verb?
Please tell me.
Thank you.
None of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window.
I don't know why the author used the verb 'flutter' in the present tense. I think it is right using in the past tense 'fluttered' or a present participle 'fluttering'.
'tawny' is not verb?
Please tell me.
Thank you.
Top answer
None of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window. I don't know why the author used the verb 'flutter' in the present tense. I think it is right using in the past tense 'fluttered' or a present participle 'fluttering'.
- None of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window.
- I don't know why the author used the verb 'flutter' in the present tense.
- I think it is right using in the past tense 'fluttered' or a present participle 'fluttering'.
- 'flutter' is correct.
- 'tawny' is not verb?
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7 Answers
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None of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window.
I don't know why the author used the verb 'flutter' in the present tense. I think it is right using in the past tense 'fluttered' or a present participle 'fluttering'. 'flutter' is correct.
'tawny' is not verb? It is an adjective.
I don't know why the author used the verb 'flutter' in the present tense. I think it is right using in the past tense 'fluttered' or a present participle 'fluttering'. 'flutter' is correct.
'tawny' is not verb? It is an adjective.
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There was my mistake.
I know 'tawny' is an adjective.
What about 'flutter'?
Why isn't it a past tense or a present participle but a present tense?
I know 'tawny' is an adjective.
What about 'flutter'?
Why isn't it a past tense or a present participle but a present tense?
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I think if I put the sentence into Passive Voice, you will be able to understand.
I saw the thief climb over the fence.
The thief was seen to climb over the fence.
None of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window.
A large tawny owl was noticed by none of them to flutter past the window.
The senten
I saw the thief climb over the fence.
The thief was seen to climb over the fence.
None of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window.
A large tawny owl was noticed by none of them to flutter past the window.
The senten
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marisskoNone of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window.There is a class of verbs in English, called verbs of perception, which are followed by the bare infinitive.
The second (following) verb is not present tense, because it is not an inflected verb at all.
Here is a partial list of these verbs
see
watch
feel
hear
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Another comment:
The main verb can be in any tense, but the following verb does not change. It is not inflected.
If you go to the concert on Friday, you will hear my son play The Moonlight Sonata.
If you had gone to the concert last Friday, you would have heard my son play The Moonlight Sonata.
If you walk by my house at 2:00 in the afternoon, you can hea
The main verb can be in any tense, but the following verb does not change. It is not inflected.
If you go to the concert on Friday, you will hear my son play The Moonlight Sonata.
If you had gone to the concert last Friday, you would have heard my son play The Moonlight Sonata.
If you walk by my house at 2:00 in the afternoon, you can hea
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