He heard Sheila coming back. - sentence analysis

I would analyze each of them as two clauses, one embedded within the other. The verb in the main clause has as an object another entire clause with its own subject and verb.

He heard [ Sheila coming back].
He heard [ Sheila come back].

He heard something. He heard a sound. The sound he heard was the sound of this: Sheila was coming back. (or, in the second case:

Thank you for your prompt reply CalifJim.

I agree that 'Sheila coming back' is an object. Can you tell me what type of clause it is? The same goes for the second example.

Mirek

EcikCan you tell me what type of clause it is?

It's not the main clause, so it's a subordinate clause. Is that what you mean?

Depending on the method you and your teachers are using, there are various terms for clause types. Can you give me a choice of possibilities? What are the types of clauses, according to the methodology you are using?

Well, I've learned of finite and non-finite clauses, each having a number of subtypes (nominal, adverbial etc.). I've also learned that clauses may function as either sentence or phrase elements.

I would describe 'coming back' as a non-finite subordinate clause that functions as a postmodifier of 'Sheila', whereas 'Sheila coming back' would be an object in the main sentence 'He heard She

EcikI hope I made things clearer.

Yes. I understand.

Sheila coming back or Sheila come back are both non-finite subordinate clauses, and they are, as we established before, direct objects of the main clause. Being direct objects, they are nominal clauses, because only a nominal clause can occur as a direct object. Direct objects are of

Silly me. Of course, 'Sheila' is the subject of 'coming back'. I don't know why the idea of 'coming back' being a postmodifier seemed so compelling...

CalifJimThe grammar of see, hear, and similar verbs of perception allow the verb in the subordinate clause to have either -ing or the infinitive without to. The first is for cases when the event is conc

EcikSo, if I'm not mistaken, a similar example could be: She felt the sweat trickle down her spine. (non-finite subclause in bold, where 'the sweat' is the subject of the clause, followed by the bare infinitive)

Precisely. You are so smart!

see, watch, hear, feel, ...are the verbs in question. Even the prepositional verb listen to

Thank you for the follow-up.

Mirek