Metkagram
EN RU

B2–C1 · GFJ · GFJ015

Subject + was/were seen/heard to + infinitive

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Passive, causative and perception”. Compare how English and German express passive, causative and perception. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishSubject + was/were seen/heard to + infinitive
DE · GermanMan sah/hörte, wie/dass + witnessed event clause

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Видели, как он вышел через боковой вход.

EN · English

He was seen to leave through the side entrance.

DE · German

Man sah, wie er durch den Seiteneingang hinausging.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Слышали, как она попросила больше времени.

    EN · English

    She was heard to ask for more time.

    DE · German

    Man hörte, wie sie um mehr Zeit bat.

  2. RU · Translation

    Видели, как водитель остановился у перехода.

    EN · English

    The driver was seen to stop at the crossing.

    DE · German

    Man sah, wie der Fahrer am Übergang anhielt.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFJ010Subject + was/were made to + infinitiveGFJGFJ012Subject + was/were allowed to + infinitiveGFJGFJ020Recipient subject + was/were + two-object verb participle + thing objectGFJGFJ008Subject + got + person + to-infinitive phraseGFJ