Sensory Verbs + Gerund Clauses Stating perceptions and observations

Expressing Attitude vs. Observation

EXPRESSING ATTITUDE – GERUND CLAUSE	EXPRESSING OBSERVATION – PARTICIPIAL CLAUSE
After particular verbs expressing attitude, we commonly use a gerund clause.  The clause serves as the object of the sentence.   See gerund of object.	After certain verbs expressing observation, we use a noun + participial clause.  A participial clause is a relative clause that has been reduced. It can modify a subject or object noun.   See clause reduction2.
We enjoy walking on the road. (Our attitude about about our activity)	We saw sheep [that were] walking on the road. (Our observation about about their activity)
We don't mind waking up to "baaa" sounds. (Our attitude about about our activity)	We heard sheep [that were] making "baaa" sounds. (Our observation about about their activity)

What is the Difference?

GERUND CLAUSE			PARTICIPIAL CLAUSE
One could argue that the reduced gerund clause and the participial clause are the same with the only difference being that the gerund holds the place of a noun (subj or object) while a participial clause modifies a noun. In modern Linguistics, they are both called "gerund-participles".  Below, "walking down the road" is the complement of the verb.  It completes the idea  We enjoy... .			A participial clause modifies a noun or noun phrase.  Below, "walking on the road" (a reduced adjective clause) modifies the object noun "sheep".   In both gerund- and participial- clause, a reduced clause is serving as a part of the sentence.  The gerund serves as the object, and the participial phrase serves as an adjective (modifier).
SUBJECT We	VERB enjoy	OBJECT sheep. / walking.	SUBJECT We	VERB saw	OBJECT / VERB COMPLEMENT sheep.  (obj. noun)
		(X = We walk on the road.)	The sheep	were walking	on the road. (comp.– prep. phrase)
SUBJECT We	VERB enjoy	OBJECT CLAUSE walking on the road.	SUBJECT We	VERB saw	MODIFYING CLAUSE sheep walking on the road. (modifying clause)

Clause Placement & Meaning

REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSE	REDUCED ADVERBIAL CLAUSE
A modifying clause should be placed directly after the word it modifies. See clouse reduction2	When a modifying (participial) clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, it modifies the entire clause.  (Place a comma after the clause.)  See shourtehning clouse while
We saw sheep walking on the road.  (The sheep were walking.)	Walking on the road, we saw sheep. (While we were walking on the road, we saw sheep.)

Resources

Azar, Betty Schrampfer, and Stacy A. Hagen. Understanding and Using English Grammar. White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman, 2009. Print. (15-7)
Huddleston, Rodney and Geoffrey K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (CaGEL). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print. (1204-5)
Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. 4th ed. 2009: Oxford University Press. Print. (242)

 

Special Verbs

Observation & Perception

-ing v. base verb form

EXPRESSING OBSERVATION – ING VERB FORM	EXPRESSING OBSERVATION – BASE VERB FORM
A verb expressing observation or perception can be followed by a noun and a participial phrase (-ing).  ''THAT + BE" is deleted from the original clause.	OR a verb expressing observation/ perception can be followed by a noun and a base verb form.  The suffix -ing is deleted from the verb. There is no difference in meaning.
We smelled a skunk [that was] passing by.	We smelled it pass[ing] by.
We saw an athlete [that was] running a marathon race.	We saw him run [ing] a marathon race.
We heard cows [that were] mooing.   (making cow sounds)	We heard them moo [ing] .    (make cow sounds)
We saw some birds [that were] flying away.	We saw them fly [ing] away.
We heard the neighbors [that were] leaving at 7:00 am.	We heard them leave [ing] at 7:00 am.
We watched our mother [that were] cooking dinner.	We watched her cook [ing] dinner.
We felt the temperature [that were] rising.	We felt it rise [ing] .
We observed the doctor [that was] doing open-heart surgery.	(no base-form  equivalent)
We noticed [that he was ] him putting something in his pocket.	(no base-form equivalent)
The police found [that  they were] them hiding.    (found = observed)	(no base-form equivalent)
She caught her husband [that was] cheating.   catch (v.) – to observe or surprise someone doing something (often negative).  It doesn't mean to physically take hold of someone, rather to discover someone's hidden activity.	(no base-form  equivalent)

 

Special Verb 

Having a particular experience

Compare — Possession vs. Have an Experience

EXPRESSING POSSESSION	HAVING A PARTICULAR EXPERIENCE
A verb expressing possession is commonly followed by a noun. (No gerund form is possible.)	Have expressions indicate a particular experience when doing an activity. The expression is is followed by a gerund phrase. The speaker expresses a good or bad experience.
We had a mobile phone.	We had difficulty finding a pay phone.  (English-US: trouble)
We had a holiday	We had a hard time finding a pay phone.  (difficulty)
We had a frisbee.	They had no trouble driving to your house. (ease)
We had a karaoke machine.	They had an easy time driving to your house. (ease)
She had a baby.	She had an awful time  getting a visa. (unpleasant)
We had breakfast / lunch / dinner.	We had fun skiing. (pleasant)
They are having a party. (hosting an event)	We had a ball skiing.  (a ball = fun)
He is having a cigarette / a break.  (take)
Have a bite / a drink  / a seat. (take)
She is having a bath. (take)
Have a good day / holiday / Merry Christmas (enjoy)

 

Special Verbs

Spending time verb-ing

Compare — Two activities vs. Spending Time (doing something)

TWO SEPARATE ACTIVITIES	SPENDING TIME VERB-ING
These verbs indicate two activities are occurring or have occurred.	These verbs indicate "spending time" doing one activity.  It's not so important whether the person is sitting, lying or standing, but that they remain stationary (in the same place).
He sat and ate his dinner.	He sat eating his dinner.
He stood and argued with me.	He stood arguing with me.
He lies around  and reads the newspaper.  (or lies down)	He lies around reading the newspaper.
He wasted time and texted on his telephone.	He wastes time texting on his telephone.
She spends hours and does her homework.	She spends hours doing her homework.

  Pop-Q -10/11/2009

 

Special Verbs

List

Verb list for this pattern

OBSERVATION	PERCEPTION	"HAVE" A (GOOD/BAD) EXPERIENCE	SPENDING TIME
see    I saw her leaving / leave.	feel      I felt her sneezing / sneeze.	have trouble  I have trouble hearing.	sit    I sat watching the sheep
watch    I watched them falling / fall.	hear     I heard her coughing / cough.	have difficulty    I have difficulty spelling.	stand    I stood waiting for them.
observe    I saw her leaving.	smell     I smelled her passing / pass by.	have fun    I have fun dancing.	lie around  I lay around relaxing.
notice    I noticed her arriving.		have a great time  I had a great time traveling.	lie  He lay complaining.
catch    I caught them relaxing.		have an easy time  I had an easy time driving.	waste time  He wastes time shopping.
find    I found her sleeping.		have a ball   I have a ball playing video games.	spend time    I spend time browsing.
overheard    We overheard them fighting.