Search from various English teachers...
Adam
word order
Hello,
I have a question about word order when you use a 'double infinitive' construction, but with a verb like 'sehen' with another verb. I know you can say, "Sie sehen mich hier stehen" - They see me standing here.
But what happens when you change tense and/or when it's used in a dependent clause?
For example, would these sentences be correct:
"Ich denke, dass sie mich hier stehen sehen" - I think they see me standing here
"Ich denke, dass sie mich hier haben stehen sehen" - I think they've seen me standing here.
"Ich denke, dass sie mich hier hätten stehen sehen" - I think they would have seen me standing here.
"Ich denke, dass sie mich hier werden stehen sehen" - I think they will see me standing here.
Danke,
Adam
Nov 17, 2014 5:33 AM
Answers · 2
1
All examples are correct. The usual word order rules for verb apply to the "dependent infinitive" (or "double infinitive", if you like) as well.
November 17, 2014
Somewhat off-topic:
In reality I would probably not use the verb "denken" to express that I assess things as stated, but the word "schon", which rids us of this tragic rear-end collision of verbs:
"Die werden mich hier schon stehen sehen". (schon = approximately "I'm confident that").
November 17, 2014
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Adam
Language Skills
English, German
Learning Language
German
Articles You May Also Like

Santa, St. Nicholas, or Father Christmas? How Christmas Varies Across English-Speaking Countries
3 likes · 0 Comments

Reflecting on Your Progress: Year-End Language Journal Prompts
1 likes · 0 Comments

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
25 likes · 17 Comments
More articles
