see + O + V/Ving [passive voice]

Sitifan · #1 (permalink) Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:48 am *see + O + V/Ving [passive voice]*

1. Someone saw John kiss Mary.
2. Someone saw Mary kissed by John.
3. John was seen to kiss Mary.
4. Mary was seen to be kissed by John.
5. Someone saw John kissing Mary.
6. Someone saw Mary being kissed by John.
7. John was seen kissing Mary.
8. Mary was seen being kissed by John.
Which of the above sentences is grammatically impossible?
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

Barb_D · #2 (permalink) Fri Nov 14, 2008 15:19 pm *see + O + V/Ving [passive voice]*

None are impossible.
#4 and #8 are the most awkward but not incorrect.

Sitifan · #3 (permalink) Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:54 am *see + O + V/Ving [passive voice]*

How about the acceptabiblity of the sentence below?
She was seen to be walking her dog.
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

Haihao · #4 (permalink) Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:15 am *see + O + V/Ving [passive voice]*

The acceptability is 100%.

	ESL Forum \| English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms	All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1