The Objective Participial Construction

Model: I saw John playing tennis.

I saw him playing tennis.

We heard John and Peter singing.

We heard them singing.

The objective participial construction consists of a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case and participle I forming a syntactical complex, the two main components of which are in predicative relationship. Since the construction always follows transitive verbs, its syntactical function is that of a complex object. Thus in its meaning it corresponds to a subordinate clause and is usually translated into Russian by a subordinate object clause: Я видел, как Джон играет в теннис. Мы слышали, как они поют. In many cases, however, the translation depends on the verb it refers to and on the requirements of the Russian usage.

The nominal element usually refers to a person or a thing different from that denoted by the subject of the sentence. If it refers to the same person as the subject, a reflexive pronoun is to be used, as in:

He heard himself uttering the words.

The construction is generally used with non-perfect participle I active, and occasionally it occurs with participle I passive:

I could see the decision being taken.

Note: Some of the verbs followed by the objective participial construction occur with the objective infinitival construction (such as to see, to watch, to hear, to feel). The difference between these two constructions concerns the meaning suggested by an infinitive or participle I, the former emphasizes the fact of an action being completed, the latter its processual character, as on:

I saw the car stop at the gate. —Я видел, что машина остановилась у ворот.

I saw the car stopping. — Я видел, как машина остановилась у ворот.

If the homogeneous infinitives are used, they denote two actions in succession. If two participles I are homogeneous, they suggest two simultaneous actions.

I heard him leave the room and lock the door. — Я слышал, как он вышел из комнаты и запер ее.

Soames saw Bosinney watching her and smiling to himself. — Сомс увидел, что Бо­синни наблюдал за ней и улыбался сам себе.

The objective participial construction is used:

a) with verbs of sense perception,

b) with various verbs of causative meaning,

c) occasionally with verbs expressing wish.

a) to see to notice to find to listen (to)

to hear to observe to catch

to feel to perceive to discover

to watch to smell to look (at)

We saw (watched, heard, listened to) the train approaching the station.

Do you smell something burning? I could feel the dog leaning against my feet.

We found him working in the garden.

Don't let me catch you doing that again!

b) to have to leave

to get to start

to keep to set

I won't have you smoking at your age!

They soon got (started) things going.

Don't keep me waiting. I'm in a hurry.

Your words set me thinking.

Can you start (set) that engine going?

Note 1: The verbs to have, to get may be used in the construction without their causative meaning, as in:

I have some students waiting for me.

I've got my grandson staying for a week.

Note 2: Sentences with the verbs of this group are usually translated into Russian by simple sentences, but for the cases like the first example: Я не допущу, чтобы вы курили. But: He заставляйте меня ждать. Ваши слова заставили меня призадуматься. Меня ждут студенты.

с) to want, to like

I don't want you talking back to me.

They didn't like me leaving so early.