[Grammar] I saw you blink... or I saw you blinking...

[pseudo]

s1. I saw you blink.

s2. I saw you blinking.

Do s1 and s2 have different meanings and usages?

I guess s1 is likely to be used when two people have an outstaring game, is it?

And I presume s2 is likely to be used in this context.

"I saw you blinking sometimes. Do you have an eye problem?"

Is what I think right?

 

[bhaisahab]

s1. I saw you blink.

s2. I saw you blinking.

Do s1 and s2 have different meanings and usages?

I guess s1 is likely to be used when two people have an outstaring game, is it?

And I presume s2 is likely to be used in this context.

"I saw you blinking sometimes. Do you have an eye problem?"

Is what I think right?

There is no real difference in meaning between the two.

Edit: I think the parser is going to disagree.;-)

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Good morning,


It seems that some people feel that the difference is as follows:

1. I saw him blink. = It happened once and is over.

2. I saw him blinking. = It was ongoing or happened several times.

This is not my opinion. It comes from Explaining Grammar by George Yule, page 227. (Google books)


HAVE A NICE DAY!


James

 

[SoothingDave]

I agree that I would say "blink" to refer to one instance and "blinking" to indicate I saw multiple blinks.

 

[pseudo]

Thank you!
Oh, I read that book.
So I asked that question with another context that I have been thinking.
I would like know for sure. Does my question make sense anyway?

Have a Nice Day!