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Jazzmaster Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Questions on I saw him ...

Question 1:
A. I saw him being angry.
B. I saw him angry.

What are differences in A and B? In meanings? Or just forms are different?

Question 2:
C. I saw him being silly.
D. I saw him silly.

I understand C. But I don't think D means anything thus invalid. Then why is the sentence B in Question 1 considered valid?

Thanks in advance.

J
  

Top answer

B is a bit weird - I saw him looking angry , maybe. Even A: I saw him acting in an angry manner, I saw him acting angrily. Maybe because "anger" is an emotion, not a behavior, while "silly" is a way to behave.

— BarbaraPA

  • B is a bit weird - I saw him looking angry , maybe.
  • Even A: I saw him acting in an angry manner, I saw him acting angrily.
  • Maybe because "anger" is an emotion, not a behavior, while "silly" is a way to behave.
  • It's easy to see someone being silly, but you can't necessarily tell that someone is angry.
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2 Answers
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B is a bit weird - I saw him looking angry, maybe.

Even A: I saw him acting in an angry manner, I saw him acting angrily.

Maybe because "anger" is an emotion, not a behavior, while "silly" is a way to behave. It's easy to see someone being silly, but you can't necessarily tell that someone is angry.
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Thanks, GG.
Being silly can be seen but anger cannot be seen at times. You are right.

J
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