Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[s_sirotori_m]

Hello, everyone

How should I say about the following situation? The situation is: my name was being called by someone, at first I didn�t notice it but later I noticed it. Then, which of the sentences bellow can I say?

#1 I suddenly realized my name was called.
#2 I suddenly realized my name called.
#3 I suddenly realized my name being called.

#4 I suddenly noticed my name was called.
#5 I suddenly noticed my name called.
#6 I suddenly noticed my name being called.

#7 I suddenly heard my name was called.
#8 I suddenly heard my name called.
#9 I suddenly heard my name being called.

Thanks in advance

[dragn]

Hi,

For your intended meaning in this situation, only the following five are acceptable:

#1 I suddenly realized my name was called.
#4 I suddenly noticed my name was called.
#6 I suddenly noticed my name being called.
#8 I suddenly heard my name called.
#9 I suddenly heard my name being called.

Many people would complain about #4 and #6, arguing that notice is most typically used in reference to something you see--and I would agree with those people. I would probably never say #4 or #6, but I can't say they are actually grammatically wrong. Notice means to pay attention to; to take cognizance of; to note or become aware of the existence or occurrence of something. So, even though it is usually something we see, I can't say they're wrong.

In these examples, realize should be followed by a clause. That's why #2 I suddenly realized my name called and #3 I suddenly realized my name being called are wrong.

The only problem with #7 I suddenly heard my name was called is that using past tense makes it sound like someone came to you after the event and told you that your name was called. Correct grammar, but a different situation.

The complement "my name called" only works with heard, so #5 I suddenly noticed my name called just sounds weird.

Here it is quick and dirty:
You realize or notice or hear (that) st is true/sb did st/st happened/etc.
You notice st/sb.
You hear st/sb
You hear st/sb doing st

There are a few loose ends to this, but that'll get you through.

Hope this helps.

dragn