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SpoonfedBaby Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
I saw the police -(chase/chasing)-- a thief.
0 Hello, 02 br
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00 I would like to do some exercises in my book but it is about a chapter that I really don’t understand. 02 br
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00 Please, could you tell me if I should choose the simple infinitive or the ING form in the following sentences? I would also like to know the reasons behind your choices. 02 br
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00 Here is the theory of that chapter: 02 br
00 I saw my friend run down the street. 02 br
00 I saw my friend running down the street. 02 br
00 Certain verbs of perception are followed by either the SIMPLE FORM or the ING form of a verb. There is usually little difference in the meaning between the two forms except that the ING form usually gives the idea of “while.” I saw my friend running while she was running down the street. 02 br
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00 ( A ) When I was downtown yesterday, I saw the police --- (chase/chasing) --- a thief. 02 br
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00 ( B ) There was an earthquake in my hometown last year. It was just a small one, but I could feel the ground --------- (shake/shaking). 02 br
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00 ( C ) Polly was working in her garden, so she didn’t hear the phone ---–(ring/ringing). 02 br
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00 ( D ) I like to listen to the birds--- (sing/signing)—when I get up early in the morning. 02 br
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00 ( E ) The guard observed a suspicious-looking person --- (come-coming) --- into the bank. 02 br
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00 ( F ) I was almost asleep last night when I suddenly heard someone -- (knock/knocking) – on the door. 02 br
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00 Thank very Much, 02 br
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00 spoonfedbaby 0-
02 br
00 I would like to do some exercises in my book but it is about a chapter that I really don’t understand. 02 br
02 br
00 Please, could you tell me if I should choose the simple infinitive or the ING form in the following sentences? I would also like to know the reasons behind your choices. 02 br
02 br
00 Here is the theory of that chapter: 02 br
00 I saw my friend run down the street. 02 br
00 I saw my friend running down the street. 02 br
00 Certain verbs of perception are followed by either the SIMPLE FORM or the ING form of a verb. There is usually little difference in the meaning between the two forms except that the ING form usually gives the idea of “while.” I saw my friend running while she was running down the street. 02 br
02 br
02 br
00 ( A ) When I was downtown yesterday, I saw the police --- (chase/chasing) --- a thief. 02 br
02 br
00 ( B ) There was an earthquake in my hometown last year. It was just a small one, but I could feel the ground --------- (shake/shaking). 02 br
02 br
00 ( C ) Polly was working in her garden, so she didn’t hear the phone ---–(ring/ringing). 02 br
02 br
00 ( D ) I like to listen to the birds--- (sing/signing)—when I get up early in the morning. 02 br
02 br
00 ( E ) The guard observed a suspicious-looking person --- (come-coming) --- into the bank. 02 br
02 br
00 ( F ) I was almost asleep last night when I suddenly heard someone -- (knock/knocking) – on the door. 02 br
02 br
00 Thank very Much, 02 br
02 br
00 spoonfedbaby 0-
Top answer
0 Hello, Spoonfedbaby, 02 br 02 br 00 I think both solutions are correct. 02 br 00 The -ing form implies the process took some time, or that you witnessed all the steps of the process. 0-
- 0 Hello, Spoonfedbaby, 02 br 02 br 00 I think both solutions are correct.
- 02 br 00 The -ing form implies the process took some time, or that you witnessed all the steps of the process.
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10 Answers
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0 Hello, Spoonfedbaby, 02 br
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00 I think both solutions are correct. 02 br
00 The -ing form implies the process took some time, or that you witnessed all the steps of the process. 0-
02 br
00 I think both solutions are correct. 02 br
00 The -ing form implies the process took some time, or that you witnessed all the steps of the process. 0-
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0 Pieanne, 02 br
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00 That seems like a helpful answer to me, at least on 'F' because it's the only example that might involve a question about duration. 'Knock' and 'knocking' suggest different time spans. I wonder how the other examples could have a preferred choice on the basis of considering how many steps there might be in the action being witnessed. Still, I wouldn'
02 br
00 That seems like a helpful answer to me, at least on 'F' because it's the only example that might involve a question about duration. 'Knock' and 'knocking' suggest different time spans. I wonder how the other examples could have a preferred choice on the basis of considering how many steps there might be in the action being witnessed. Still, I wouldn'
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0 We've had discussions like this before - in most cases, there is really no "correct" answer. A native speaker might choose either form, either randomly, or to give some slight emphasis that is not obviously required by the limited context given int he examples. The "ing" form puts a bit more emphasis on the process of the action, while the other form puts a bit more emphasis on the fact or r
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0 My understanding is like this. 02 br
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00 When a base form is used, it is saying one saw/heard the event to complete. 02 br
00 When an -ing form is used , it is saying one saw/heard the event on going. 02 br
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00 "I heard the bird sing" --> "I heard the whole of the singing activity" 02 br
00 "I heard the bird singing" --> "I
02 br
00 When a base form is used, it is saying one saw/heard the event to complete. 02 br
00 When an -ing form is used , it is saying one saw/heard the event on going. 02 br
02 br
00 "I heard the bird sing" --> "I heard the whole of the singing activity" 02 br
00 "I heard the bird singing" --> "I
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0 Since the two are nearly the same, the person who constructed the examples is trying to give clues. This ends up being an exercise in test psychology, not in English. 02 br
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00 I think the clues being planted are: 02 br
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00 If it has a "when" clause or a clause which indicates some activity which could have been happening at the same time as the tar
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00 I think the clues being planted are: 02 br
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00 If it has a "when" clause or a clause which indicates some activity which could have been happening at the same time as the tar
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0 CalifJim, 02 br
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00 Your tip convinces me to answer 01 b 00 ing 02 b 00 to A, C, D, F. Do I get a prize? 02 br
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00 PS: I assume the test referred to by the questionner required a definitive choice. 0-
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00 Your tip convinces me to answer 01 b 00 ing 02 b 00 to A, C, D, F. Do I get a prize? 02 br
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00 PS: I assume the test referred to by the questionner required a definitive choice. 0-
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0 Yes. Please give yourself a prize! 05 0 00 I wouldn't have chosen F, but who knows what the test maker wanted? 02 br
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00 CJ 010id 1
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00 CJ 010id 1
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0 My defense of F: 02 br
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00 Despite the term 'suddenly', I consider the state of mind in a person who is 'almost asleep'. The 'suddenly' was in the hearing, not in the knock 01 u 00 ing 02 u 00 . A drowzy consciousness did not immediately recognize the knocking sounds, then suddenly the repeated noise broke through to full consciousness. 02 br
02
02 br
00 Despite the term 'suddenly', I consider the state of mind in a person who is 'almost asleep'. The 'suddenly' was in the hearing, not in the knock 01 u 00 ing 02 u 00 . A drowzy consciousness did not immediately recognize the knocking sounds, then suddenly the repeated noise broke through to full consciousness. 02 br
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0 I came across this just this morning...from Umberto Eco's 01 u 00 The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana 02 u 00 : 02 br
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00 I was dozing, and the clock woke me. I didn't hear the first few chimes distinctly, that is to say, I didn't count them. But as soon as I decided to count, I realized that there had already been three, so I was able to count four, fiv
02 br
00 I was dozing, and the clock woke me. I didn't hear the first few chimes distinctly, that is to say, I didn't count them. But as soon as I decided to count, I realized that there had already been three, so I was able to count four, fiv
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0 davkett, 02 br
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00 I don't think the movies have anything to do with it! 02 br
00 I like your argument. I'd buy that; it sounds reasonable. 02 br
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00 CJ 0-
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00 I don't think the movies have anything to do with it! 02 br
00 I like your argument. I'd buy that; it sounds reasonable. 02 br
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00 CJ 0-
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