Grammar: Verb Pattern (Part 1)

In this blog, I will share about one of the verb patterns that English users are likely to use in their daily life - hear, see, etc. + object + infinitive or -ing.

We can use either the infinitive without "to" or the "-ing" form after the object of verbs such as hear, see, notice, watch. The infinitive without "to" often emphasises the whole action or event, which someone hears or sees. The "-ing" form usually emphasises an action or event, which is in progress or not yet completed.

Example:

Jason saw a young man rode off with his girlfriend on the pillion.	The speaker observed the whole event.
I heard him singing in the bathroom, when I walked in to the house.	The action was in progress, but not completed.

The -ing form can also emphasise that an event or action is repeated.

Example:

We watched the movers moving back and forth, taking boxes out of the house and loading the truck.

After can or could with one of these verbs, we always use the -ing form, not the infinitive.

Example:

I can hear people laughing. They must be in the next room.