subject + perception verb + object + verb-ingUse a perception verb, then the person or thing you observed, then the -ing form for the action in progress.
Verb + Object + -ing
B1Use see, hear, watch, or notice + object + -ing to describe an action you observed in progress: I saw Tom running.
What you'll learn
- Build sentences with see/hear/watch/notice + object + -ing.
- Put the object before the -ing form.
- Choose this pattern when you focus on the action as it was happening.
- Recognize see, hear, watch, and notice as common verbs in this pattern.
Structure
Build a sentence
Perception verb
Object
Action
seeAnnarunning
I see Anna running.
Use object + -ing after a perception verb.
When to use
Observed scenes
Use it for actions you saw happening: I saw Maria talking to the manager. The focus is the scene in progress.
Observed sounds
Use it with hear for sounds and voices in progress: We heard the baby crying upstairs.
Markers
seehearwatchnotice
In contrast
vs verb-object-infinitive
This pattern highlights an action in progress: I saw Tom running. The infinitive pattern highlights the whole action as a complete event: I saw Tom cross the street.
Common mistakes
Wrong
I saw Anna to cross the street.
Correct
I saw Anna crossing the street.
After see + object in this pattern, use the -ing form, not to + verb.
Wrong
We heard them sing in the next room.
Correct
We heard them singing in the next room.
Use -ing when you describe the action as it was happening.
Wrong
I saw running Tom in the park.
Correct
I saw Tom running in the park.
The object comes before the -ing form: saw Tom running, not saw running Tom.
Common misconceptions
❝ After one verb, the next verb must always start with to. ❞
Not here. After see, hear, watch, or notice + object, English can use an -ing form: I heard them laughing.
❝ The object is optional in this pattern. ❞
The object is part of the pattern: someone sees or hears somebody or something doing the action.
Skills in this rule (4)
USE_PERCEPTION_VERB_OBJECT_INGw5Use see, hear, watch, and notice with object + -ing
After perception verbs like see, hear, watch, and notice, add an object and an -ing form to show an action in progress. The pattern is common when you describe what you observed.
PUT_OBJECT_BEFORE_INGw4Place the object before the -ing form
The person or thing you observe comes before the -ing form: saw Tom running, heard the phone ringing. Do not put the object after the -ing form.
USE_FOR_ACTION_IN_PROGRESSw4Use this pattern for an action in progress that you noticed
Choose verb + object + -ing when you focus on the action as it was happening. It fits scenes, sounds, and movement you observe directly.
RECOGNIZE_COMMON_PERCEPTION_VERBSw3Recognize common perception verbs that take this pattern
The most common verbs in this pattern are see, hear, watch, and notice. These verbs introduce what you observed with your eyes or ears.