show + object + verb form

Question

Hello. I have two sentences that I believe are grammatically correct:

This clip shows him getting hit by a baseball.
This clip shows him getting a ticket.

My question is: Can I use the sentences without the -ing form? (i.e., get instead of getting)

Thank you

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Hi Optimus

Since there is nothing to justify a plain infinitive, the answer is: no.

CB

Optimus · Answer

Can I use an infinite in the following cases? If yes, the reason I can't use the sentences
in the first post without the -ing form is show is not a verb of perception?

I saw him get hit by a baseball.
I saw him get a ticket.

Thank you

Cool Breeze · Answer

OptimusI saw him get hit by a baseball.
I saw him get a ticket.

Hi Optimus

Your sentences are grammatically correct.

CB

CalifJim · Answer

Can I use the sentences without the -ing form? (i.e., get instead of getting)

No. Not when show is the main verb. But it's OK when see is the main verb.

Do some searches on this site and with Google on "catenative verbs". You will find that each verb has a built-in catenation property. It can combine with a following -ing form, a following infinitive (full or bare), both, or neither. That's just part of the properties of the verb itself. show goes with an -ing form; see goes either with an -ing form or a bare infinitive. These have to be memorized either directly by brute force or through repeated contact with examples that you hear and read, because there is really little else to go on in determining which verbs go with which patterns.

CJ

show + object + verb form

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions