Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Languages and Linguistics

Lionel Mandrake

(4,167 posts) Sat Aug 9, 2014, 01:23 PM Aug 2014

Can anyone explain the syntax of "I saw it happen"? [View all]

Last edited Sat Aug 9, 2014, 02:07 PM - Edit history (1)

It's a very short sentence, but I don't understand it. I'm guessing that "it happen" is a clause, in which "happen" is the verb", but then I must ask: is "happen" an infinitive or is it inflected? What's going on here?

12 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

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