I saw they eat vs I saw you ate

The two phrases are not directly comparable as they have different subjects and tenses. 'I saw they eat' uses the present tense 'eat' after 'they', while 'I saw you ate' uses the past tense 'ate' after 'you'. Both phrases can be correct depending on the context in which they are used.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 487 views

I saw they eat

This phrase is correct when referring to a general observation in the present tense.

This phrase is used to describe a general observation of a group of people eating at a particular time. It indicates that the action of eating is ongoing or habitual.

Show examples from the web [+]

I saw they eat
I saw him eat the forbidden fruit.
I saw you eat some dude's face.
I saw you eat lunch alone.
The last green thing I saw you eat was a Skittle.
I saw you eat a crayon...
I saw you eat cake out of it once.
OK, I saw you eat 5 cups Count Chocula at once.
In a couple of movies I saw people eat like this but they had four or five servants.
And while you two were out surfing... by the way, I saw you eat it on that one wave.
I was kicked out before I saw him eat it.
I saw him eat jelly beans, so I would get those.
I thought I would go to my grave before I saw Francis eat a green vegetable.
Once I saw this kid eat a moth.
And I saw her almost eat ice cream.
I mean, one time, I saw her eat a whole apple using a knife, just like in the movies.
Until I saw a machine eat my plant after being beaten and drowned in magnesium benzo-something.
Tell me you saw her eat that bug.
You saw me eat the bouillon.
Albin, you saw him eat a bat...
We saw them eat those other toys.

I saw you ate

This phrase is correct when referring to a specific observation of someone eating in the past tense.

This phrase is used to describe a specific instance where the speaker observed the action of eating by the person they are addressing. It indicates a past action that has been completed.

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