Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Teo]

1. I don't want you coming home so late.

2. I don't want you to come home so late.

What's the difference between the above two sentences?

Thanks very much for your reply.

[doliver]

Teo wrote:

1. I don't want you coming home so late.
2. I don't want you to come home so late.

What's the difference between the above two sentences?

Comments:

Both sentences are grammatical, but they're not the same. The two sentences seem to illustrate verbs with gerunds or infinitives, but the first sentence actually illustrates a different grammar pattern: a verb with an object complement.

In the second sentence, the grammar pattern is the negative use of want with an object (you) and an infinitive (to come).

In the first sentence, the grammar pattern is the negative form of want followed by an object (you) and a complement phrase (coming home so late) which describes the object.

These online resources will give you more information on object complements:

http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000020.htm

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jlawler/aue/complmnt.html

Sincerely,

D. Oliver
_________________
Dennis Oliver
Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ U.S.A.
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu

[Teo]

1. I want you standing up when the judge enters the court.
2. I want you to stand up when the judge enters the court.
3. I want you to be standing up when the judge enters the court.
What's the difference in meaning among the above three sentences?
Thanks very much for your reply.
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[Teo]

Hi,

The differences are fairly small and subtle, but here's what I feel.

1. I want you standing up when the judge enters the court. You never stand up when the judge comes in. This time you'd better remember. To me, there's a hint of exasperation.

2. I want you to stand up when the judge enters the court. A pretty neutral way to say it.

3. I want you to be standing up when the judge enters the court. I want you to stand up before the judge enters.


Best wishes, Clive


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.......... Dances With Words ..........
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[doliver]

I think you expressed the differences between "I want you to stand" and "I want you standing" very well.

D. O.
_________________
Dennis Oliver
Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ U.S.A.
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu