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Languages and Linguistics

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)

10. The main verb is "saw"

Reply to Lionel Mandrake (Reply #8)

Fri Aug 22, 2014, 08:05 AM

Aug 2014

"I" is the subject and "it happen" is the object clause.

The past subjunctive use in this case is triggered by a present lack of reality—the sentence implies that it really did happen in the past, but it is not currently happening at the moment, and thus is un-real at the moment. That state of current unreality triggers the past subjunctive.

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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