I saw him cross, I saw him crossing

What's in the lesson

1. 1Warm-up
2. 2In this lesson
3. 3Listen: the witnessListening comprehension
4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
5. 5Find the patternGrammar exercise
6. 6see someone do, see someone doingGrammar rule
7. 7The whole action or part of it?Grammar exercise
8. 8Which form?Grammar exercise
9. 9Two sentences into oneGrammar exercise
10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
12. 12The witnessSpeaking practice
13. 13About youGrammar exercise
14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

1. 1Homework: which sentence is correct?Grammar exercise
2. 2Homework: two sentences into oneGrammar exercise
3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
4. 4Homework: a witness reportDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

1. When you walk down the street, do you notice a lot, or are you usually looking at your phone?
2. How good is your memory for faces, cars and small details?
3. What sounds can you hear from your window at night?

Grammar rule

see someone do, see someone doing

see, watch, notice, hear, listen to, feel + someone or something + verb or -ing

	+ verb (no to)	+ -ing
Meaning	the whole action, from start to finish	part of the action: it was going on
Example	I saw the waiter drop the tray.	I saw a man sleeping on a bench.
A short action	once: I heard the door slam.	again and again: I heard a door slamming all night.
Question / negative	Did you hear the phone ring?	I didn't notice anyone following me.

smell takes only -ing: I could smell onions frying. With can and could, -ing is common for something going on now: I can hear the kids splashing in the pool.

Watch out

• No to after the object: I noticed him to smile → I noticed him smile.
• No past form after the object: I watched it fell → I watched it fall.
• After the verb, use me, him, her, us, them: We listened to she sing → We listened to her sing.
• Not every see or hear has this pattern: I heard that the old movie theater closed. (someone told me) · I didn't see where it went.