Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary

[ruaqt2]

Hi, can I check with you on an english question? I think I know the answer but I don’t know how to explain to my DD.


The question is:

"Christine saw the puppy _____ her mother’s shoes. " The MCQ choices are
1. chew
2. chews
3. chewed
4. was chewing

The answer should be "chew", correct? Intuitively "chew" seems like the correct choice, but if "saw" is in past tense, why is "chew" in present tense?

If the sentence is changed to "Christine saw the puppy and ___ her mother’s shoes", then we use past tense for the blank. For example "hid" is the correct answer here.

So why is the past tense used for Christine’s action but not the puppy’s actions?

[iRabbit]

I'm making an educated guess here. Perhaps the rest can correct me if I'm wrong.


I actually think the most appropriate word for the blank should be chewing as in 'Christine saw the dog chewing her mother's shoes'. I think in this case, chewing is implied past continuous tense since both verbs (saw & chewed) happened in the past.

However, between chewed and chew, the better choice would be chew. When you say 'Christine saw the dog chew her mother's shoes', it'll appear to me to be more of stating a fact.

Assuming we consider Einstein to be the greatest inventor on Earth; if we say 'Einstein was the greatest inventor on Earth', does it mean that now someone else is even greater than him? But if we say 'Einstein is that greatest inventor on Earth', then we're making a statement which we think is true even till today, even though his inventions happened a long way back.

Admittedly I'm not really sure how sound my theory is. I myself is not 100% convinced it is right. Waiting for the rest to chip in.

Btw, If my son asks me the same question, I'll just tell him because it sounds funny, keke.

[Mrsbongz]

Hehe, i will tell my boy that 'saw' is bcos this action is over, happened in the past. 'chew' bcos when he saw the dog, that was wat the dog was doing.


I thought the qn wasn't set v well. 'chewing' would b more appropriate. 'chew' sounds v funny too just my opinion ya?

[kohhweelin.010441gmail.010441com]

FQW, like your theory but...it's a grammar rule.


It's called 'infinitive without to' rule. I have shared this in one of my earlier posts.

Eg..made her cry, heard him sing etc
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/infinitive_without_to.htm
http://www.englishgrammar.org/infinitives/

[iRabbit]

E3:

FQW, like your theory but...it's a grammar rule.


It's called 'infinitive without to' rule. I have shared this in one of my earlier posts.

Eg..made her cry, heard him sing etc
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/infinitive_without_to.htm
http://www.englishgrammar.org/infinitives/

Thanks E3. You're the best. :udawoman:

Now I don't need to tell ds that it sounds funny. I can tell ds about this grammar rule.

Btw where's the rest of the gang? Busy with what huh? Muahahaha :siam:

[janet88]

FQW:

E3:

Thanks E3. You're the best. :udawoman:


Now I don't need to tell ds that it sounds funny. I can tell ds about this grammar rule.

Btw where's the rest of the gang? Busy with what huh? Muahahaha :siam:

The rest of the gang busy coaching kids for CA1 lor.

[php]

FQW:

E3:

FQW, like your theory but...it's a grammar rule.


It's called 'infinitive without to' rule. I have shared this in one of my earlier posts.

Eg..made her cry, heard him sing etc
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/infinitive_without_to.htm
http://www.englishgrammar.org/infinitives/

Thanks E3. You're the best. :udawoman:

Now I don't need to tell ds that it sounds funny. I can tell ds about this grammar rule.

Btw where's the rest of the gang? Busy with what huh? Muahahaha :siam:

your days are numbered....

[JoeeYee]

janet_lee88:

FQW:

Btw where's the rest of the gang? Busy with what huh? Muahahaha :siam:

The rest of the gang busy coaching kids for CA1 lor.

yes!!... and also piano tests, swim tests, competition, etc.... busy first term!...

Seems like PH is seeing quite a number of HFMD... is it true?

[ruaqt2]

Thank you to all who reply on my question. Understand liao…


As for HFMD, my DD’s class already has two known cases as of last wk.

[Happy Mama]

php:

FQW:

Btw where's the rest of the gang? Busy with what huh? Muahahaha :siam:

your days are numbered....