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Tianyuan0115 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

"want somebody doing something" , is it a correct expression?

A: Where did he get the hoop?

B: His uncle gave it to him.

A:I don't want him playing.

B:He's four years old, all he want to do is be like his Dad, why don't you go out there and show him.

A:I said I don't want him playing.

"I don't want him playing", is it a correct expression, cause I thought people usually say "want somebody to do something"? Could you please help me to explain this?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

"I don't want him playing" is OK in everyday conversation (but I wouldn't personally use this type of construction in more formal English). It means roughly the same as "I don't want him to play". " etc.

— Mr Wordy

  • "I don't want him playing" is OK in everyday conversation (but I wouldn't personally use this type of construction in more formal English).
  • It means roughly the same as "I don't want him to play".
  • " etc.
  • Bad punctuation here: B: He's four years old .
  • A ll he wants to do is be like his Dad .
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1 Answers
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"I don't want him playing" is OK in everyday conversation (but I wouldn't personally use this type of construction in more formal English). It means roughly the same as "I don't want him to play". Similarly, you can say:

"I don't want him seeing me do this."

"I don't want them eating in here."

"I don't want her carrying that heavy bag."

etc.

Bad punctu
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