Grammar: ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: 🎭 Modals & 🌱 Non-Finite Verbs (Advanced) (B2) - Lesson 7: Verbs of Perception + object + infinitive/-ing (see him run / see him running)

Grammar: Verb Patterns

B2 Lesson 7: Verbs of Perception

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use verbs of perception (like see, hear, watch) with either a base infinitive or a present participle (-ing) to show the difference between a complete action and an action in progress.

Why It Matters: Complete vs. In-Progress Action

The choice between using a base verb (like jump) or an -ing verb (like jumping) after a verb of perception changes the meaning of the sentence.

✅ Complete Action

I saw the boy jump over the fence.

(This means you saw the whole action, from the beginning to the end.)

✅ Action in Progress

I saw the boy jumping over the fence.

(This means you saw the boy in the middle of the action, but maybe not the whole thing.)

The Grammar Rules 📖

Verbs of perception are related to our five senses, like see, watch, hear, listen to, feel, and notice.

The Two Structures

• Verb of Perception + Object + Base Infinitive
  Use this pattern when you witness the complete action from start to finish.
  Example: "We watched the performers perform three amazing tricks."
• Verb of Perception + Object + Present Participle (-ing)
  Use this pattern when you witness an action in progress (in the middle of happening).
  Example: "We could hear the students singing as we passed the classroom."

💡 Pro Tip: The Passive Voice

This structure has a special change in the passive voice. The base infinitive becomes a full infinitive (to + verb).

Active: "We saw him leave the building."
Passive: "He was seen to leave the building."

The -ing form, however, does not change in the passive.

Active: "We saw him leaving the building."
Passive: "He was seen leaving the building."

Practice Your Grammar 🎯

Exercise: Complete or In Progress?

Choose the correct verb form based on the meaning of the sentence.

1. I sat on the beach and watched the sun _______ over the horizon. It was beautiful. (set / setting)
   → Answer: set (This implies you watched the complete action.)
2. As I walked past the cafe, I could hear a band _______ my favorite song. (play / playing)
   → Answer: playing (You heard them in the middle of the action.)
3. Did you see that moto _______ right through the red light? (go / going)
   → Answer: go (This emphasizes the short, completed action.)
4. I felt a spider _______ up my arm! (crawl / crawling)
   → Answer: crawling (You felt it while it was in the middle of the action.)

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

Describe What You Perceive

Write a sentence for each situation using a verb of perception and the correct following verb form.

1. You watched a complete football match on TV from the first minute to the last.
   (Example: I watched Cambodia play a fantastic match last night.)
2. You looked out your window and saw your neighbours in the middle of arguing.
   (Example: I saw my neighbours arguing in their garden.)
3. You felt one drop of rain fall on your head.
   (Example: I felt a drop of rain fall on my head.)

Key Vocabulary

• Verbs of Perception (Noun) | កិរិយាស័ព្ទនៃការទទួលដឹង
  Verbs related to the five senses (see, hear, feel, watch, notice).
• Base Infinitive (Noun) | កិរិយាស័ព្ទដើមគ្មាន 'to'
  The verb form without 'to' (e.g., jump, play, go).
• Present Participle (Noun) | ទម្រង់ -ing
  The -ing form of a verb (e.g., jumping, playing, going).
• Complete Action (Noun) | សកម្មភាពពេញលេញ
  An action that is seen or heard from its beginning to its end.
• Action in Progress (Noun) | សកម្មភាពកំពុងដំណើរការ
  An action that is in the middle of happening.