Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #278 of 305

Verbs of Perception + Object + -ing or Infinitive

-ing = in progress; infinitive = complete.

Examples

  • I saw him crossing the road.
  • I saw him cross the road.

Key rules

  • Verbs of perception: see, hear, watch, notice, feel
  • + object + -ing shows an action in progress: I saw him crossing the road
  • + object + base verb shows a complete action: I saw him cross the road
  • Do not use to after the object

Common mistakes

  • I saw him to cross → I saw him cross
  • I heard her to sing → I heard her sing
💡 Tip: Whole action means base verb; part of action means -ing.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
← Verb + Gerund or Infinitive: Try, Regret, Go OnPrepositions + Gerund →

Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.