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Grammar help

 
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pkang0202



Joined: 09 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:00 am    Post subject: Grammar help Reply with quote

I need help explaining a grammar point. A student is asking me about these 2 sentences:

I saw the dog eat his food.

I saw the dog eating food.

I saw the dog eating his food.

I saw the dog eat food.

They want to know why each of the sentences are correct? Specifically,
why it doesn't matter if you put -ing at the end of "eat".
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Chuvok



Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Location: Russia

PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I saw the dog eat his food. Past Simple + Possessive Adjective (his)

You knew the food belonged to the dog, and not another dog. The dog finished his food in front of you.



I saw the dog eating food. Past Continuous

The dog ate food, but you didn't know whose food, and did not see him finish. Maybe he stopped after you left.



I saw the dog eating his food. Past Continuous + Possessive Adjective (his)

The dog ate food, you knew it was his food, and you did not see him finish. Maybe he stopped after you left.



I saw the dog eat food. Past Simple

You didn't know the food belonged to the dog. The dog finished the food in front of you.
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Cerriowen



Joined: 03 Jun 2006
Location: Pocheon

PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

All are correct, but mean different things... per what the above person said Smile
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Chris_Dixon



Joined: 09 Jan 2008

PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

An excellent explanation Chuvok, wish this forum had a rep system or something....
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Teelo



Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Wellington, NZ

PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Love the avatar Chuvok, but note that the moderator nazis here might complain its a bit big. I had to shrink mine, now it makes no sense Sad
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T-J



Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I saw the dog eat food.
난 그 개가 음식을 먹은 거 봤다
I saw the dog eat his food.
난 그 개가 그의 음식을 먹은 거 봤다
I saw the dog eating food.
난 그 개가 음식을 먹고 있는 거 봤다
I saw the dog eating his food.
난 그 개가 그의 음식을 먹고 있는 거 봤다
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Missihippi



Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Location: Gwangmyeong

PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chuvok wrote:
I saw the dog eat his food. Past Simple + Possessive Adjective (his)

You knew the food belonged to the dog, and not another dog. The dog finished his food in front of you.



I saw the dog eating food. Past Continuous

The dog ate food, but you didn't know whose food, and did not see him finish. Maybe he stopped after you left.



I saw the dog eating his food. Past Continuous + Possessive Adjective (his)

The dog ate food, you knew it was his food, and you did not see him finish. Maybe he stopped after you left.



I saw the dog eat food. Past Simple

You didn't know the food belonged to the dog. The dog finished the food in front of you.


Probably the most productive post i've seen on here in a while..
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