Compare:

Verb + Infinitive Verb + Participle I

I saw him enter the shop. I saw him entering the shop.

(I saw the whole action – he opened (This action was in progress

the door, went in and disappeard.) when I saw him).

NOTES:

1. The verbs to see and to hear are followed by a clause (not by the Infinitive Construction) when they are not really verbs of sense perception, i.e. when the verb to see means "to understand" and the verb to hear – "to learn, to be told":

I saw that she didn't realize the danger.

Я видел (понимал), что она не осознает опасности.

I heard that he had left for the south.

Я слышал (мне сказали), что он уехал на юг.

2. After the verbs to see and to notice the Complex Object is not used with the verb to be, a clause is used in that case:

I saw that he was pale.

Я видел, что он побледнел.

Exercises

31. Translate the sentences, paying special attention to the use of the Complex Object

1. Seeing her enter the room he rose to greet her. 2. Did you feel the bridge shake? 3. I don't like you to say such things. 4. Put on a thicker coat, I don't want you to catch cold. 5. We knew hir to be very brave. 6. Nobody said anything, we just watched him put it away in his case. 7. You could have heard a pin drop. 8. She wouldn't explain, just urged me to use my own eyes. 9. Well, tell him to see us tomorrow morning, will you? 10. After lunch he begged me to accompany him home. 11. By the way, did she ask you to sign any papers yesterday? 12. Her visit agitated the patient so much that the doctor advised her not to come again. 13. There is no harm, I think, in letting you know. 14. I understood you to say that you had received no letter from your brother since he left England.

32. Fill in the blanks with the particle "to" where necessary

1. This is the place from which I saw John ... arrive to the house. 2. I tried to induce him ... see a doctor. 3. The family suspected it and wanted to get him ... see a lawyer. 4. He asked her ... destroy his letters. 5. I told her ... bring in the tea. 6. Women always want you ... write them letters. 7. I'd love you ... see my little daughter. 8. You can't make me ... say what you want me ... say. 9. She begged me to let her ... know when Mother would be back. 10. I had expected him ... be disappointed. 11. Don't let it ... trouble you. 12. She watched me ... open the safe.

33. Replace the following complex sentences or groups of sentences by simple sentences with the Infinitive Construction

Model: I looked out of the window. He crossed the street.

I saw him cross the street.

1. I shall stay at home and do my lessons. Mother said so. 2. I never smoke indoors. My wife doesn't like it. 3. He's an honest boy. I know it. 4. We don't eat ice-cream before dinner because Mother has forbidden it. 5. You got off the train at Saltmarsh city. The porter saw you. 6. He ordered that tea should be brought at once. 7. No one had expected that she would marry the man. 8. I could hear it perfectly well. They were discussing me. 9. Don't shout so! The whole house will know what has happened. Do you want it?