0
ESLBeginner Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Witness

Hello, I'm reading a sentence: I witnessed a gang of hoodlums steal the wallet of a tourist by accident.

I don't understand why simple present tense of 'steal' is used while using past tense of witness? Would someone please tell me if this is correct and why?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

It's correct. It's not the present; its a bare infinitive. Cf: I saw him steal the sandwich.

— Mister Micawber

  • It's correct.
  • It's not the present; its a bare infinitive.
  • Cf: I saw him steal the sandwich.
  • I'm going to watch them win the game.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
It's correct. It's not the present; its a bare infinitive. Cf:

I saw him steal the sandwich.
I'm going to watch them win the game.
0
0
As MrM says, it is correct. If you write such a sentence, you might feel better with "stealing" or "as they stole/were stealing", which would also be correct.
0

Related Questions