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Languages and Linguistics

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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?

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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
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