I saw them work/working.

Question

Dear all,Please see the following sentences. I would like to know whether they are correct. If yes, kindly tell me the difference in their meaning.Here the context is "Today when I went to the construction site, I saw my labourers were working."1) I saw them work.2) I saw them working. Here the context is "My friend lifted his girlfriend with his hands."1) He took his girlfriend in the hand.2) He took his girlfriend by the hand.Thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

cat navy 425
Here the context is "Today when I went to the construction site, I saw (that) my labourers were working."
1) I saw them work.
2) I saw them working.

The sentence that matches the context best is 2).

You might use 1) after the work is done.

I saw the man cross the road. (He has finished crossing the road. I saw the whole thing, from when he started crossing the road until when he finished.)
I saw the man crossing the road. (He was on the road, walking across it. I don't necessarily know how he got there or if he reached the other side.)

cat navy 425
Here the context is "My friend lifted his girlfriend with his hands."
1) He took his girlfriend in by the hand.
2) He took his girlfriend by the hand.

I can't work this one out. In the context he picked up his girlfriend — all of her — and lifted her in the air and into his arms. Her feet were not on the ground anymore. I hope she wasn't too heavy. She's going to be very angry if he drops her.

But in the sentences 1) and 2) he is only touching her hand and holding it. (By the way, you can only say "by the hand", as shown above.)

CJ

I saw them work/working.

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