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Hsiaoyunh Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

see him fish vs. see him fishing

What's the difference in meaning of the following sentences?

I saw him fish in the river.

I saw him fishing in the river

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

hsiaoyunh What's the difference The difference is in what is called "aspect" -- the way you look at a situation -- the way you conceptualize its occurrence in time. In the first example, you are thinking about what you saw as a single occasion or event. You are presenting your listener with a still photo of the fishing event.

— CalifJim

  • hsiaoyunh What's the difference The difference is in what is called "aspect" -- the way you look at a situation -- the way you conceptualize its occurrence in time.
  • In the first example, you are thinking about what you saw as a single occasion or event.
  • You are presenting your listener with a still photo of the fishing event.
  • In the second example, you are thinking about what you saw as an on-going activity.
  • You are presenting your listener with a short movie of the fishing activity.
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1 Answers
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hsiaoyunhWhat's the difference
The difference is in what is called "aspect" -- the way you look at a situation -- the way you conceptualize its occurrence in time.

In the first example, you are thinking about what you saw as a single occasion or event. You are presenting your listener with a still photo of the fishing event.

In the second e
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