See, Saw, Seen
More and more I hear and read the word “seen” used as the past tense of “see.” The past tense of “see” is “saw.” “Seen” is the past participle of “see,” not the past tense of “see.”
I see.
I saw.
I have seen.
One day I see Jane standing outside my neighbor Dick’s house. Dick also sees Jane standing outside his house. Later Dick tells me he saw Jane standing outside his house the previous day. He has now seen her standing outside his house for two days in a row.
Dick believes Jane has seen him. He believes he is being stalked.
I tell Dick not to worry, that I seen Jane standing outside his house for just that one day.
Dick punches me in the mouth and tells me I have used the word “seen” improperly.
He is right.
The moral of this story is: Do not punch people in the mouth for using “seen” improperly, just tell them: “This improper use cannot be allowed to continue, it is a threat to the eardrums and the English language.” Then have the offender repeat after you:
“I see.
I saw.
I have seen.”
July 13th, 2009 at 5:46 am
That is probably one of the funniest things I have ever read. Thanks for the lesson, I hope alot of people will see it.
Luke.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I saw Jane too. I see her all the time. She is always out looking for Dick. I don’t think she really likes Dick. She only wants to be seen with Dick. Do you ever see Sally? I have often seen her with Jane. She says Jane is really into the “other” scene.
Thanks for the lesson.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
You are good. Where were you all the time I was explaining this to English students? The other phobia I have is anyone’s using the “like” as a conjunction instead of the verb it is.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Actually, you could always confuse the “students at large” with the present perfect (have seen–Dick and Jane have taken pictures of themselves to send to Grandma) with the past perfect (had seen–Dick and Jane had sent pictues to grandma for the last time). Or you could throw in the emphatic forms or even the present progressive. Aren’t they all precious?
Or better yet, have them conjugate an adjective…..