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Languages and Linguistics

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)

7. I saw it happen

Reply to Lionel Mandrake (Original post)

Thu Aug 21, 2014, 05:51 PM

Aug 2014

"I saw" - subject clause. First person singular, preterite tense of verb "to see"
"it happen" - object clause. Third person (neuter) past subjunctive of verb "to happen"

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Can anyone explain the syntax of "I saw it happen"? [View all] Lionel Mandrake Aug 2014 OP

Looks like "it happen" is the object of the verb "saw". Scuba Aug 2014 #1

It does look that way. Lionel Mandrake Aug 2014 #2

The mood could be sad, happy, disappointed - depends on what "it" was. Scuba Aug 2014 #3

Now that's funny. Lionel Mandrake Aug 2014 #4

Your explanation depends on your theory. Igel Aug 2014 #5

Thank you for the scholarly reply, but Lionel Mandrake Aug 2014 #6

I saw it happen Starboard Tack Aug 2014 #7

It's true that the subject or object of a sentence can be a clause, Lionel Mandrake Aug 2014 #8

This message was self-deleted by its author Starboard Tack Aug 2014 #9

The main verb is "saw" Starboard Tack Aug 2014 #10

I agree Lionel Mandrake Aug 2014 #11

Well, I come from the school of traditional grammar Starboard Tack Aug 2014 #12