see him cross / see him crossing (perception verbs)
see him cross / see him crossing (perception verbs) means “Perception verbs: see/hear + object + verb (whole action) or + V-ing (in progress)”. After verbs of perception — see, hear, watch, feel, notice — use object + base verb for a complete action watched from start to finish: I saw him cross the road (the whole crossing). Formation: see / hear / feel + object + base verb · + V-ing
Perception verbs: see/hear + object + verb (whole action) or + V-ing (in progress)
B2Formation
see / hear / feel + object + base verb · + V-ing
Explanation
After verbs of perception — see, hear, watch, feel, notice — use object + base verb for a complete action watched from start to finish: I saw him cross the road (the whole crossing). Use object + V-ing for an action in progress or seen only in part: I saw him crossing the road (it was happening). There is no to before the base verb.
Examples
Note
Base form = the whole, completed action (I watched her dance the whole dance). V-ing = an action in progress or unfinished (I watched her dancing). In the passive, to comes back: He was seen to leave.
FAQ
see him cross / see him crossing (perception verbs) — what does it mean and how is it used?
Perception verbs: see/hear + object + verb (whole action) or + V-ing (in progress). After verbs of perception — see, hear, watch, feel, notice — use object + base verb for a complete action watched from start to finish: I saw him cross the road (the whole crossing). Use object + V-ing for an action in progress or seen only in part: I saw him crossing the road (it was happening). There is no to before the base verb.
see him cross / see him crossing (perception verbs) — how do you form it?
see / hear / feel + object + base verb · + V-ing
see him cross / see him crossing (perception verbs) — any usage notes?
Base form = the whole, completed action (I watched her dance the whole dance). V-ing = an action in progress or unfinished (I watched her dancing). In the passive, to comes back: He was seen to leave.