je vois l'architecte arriver

Question

Bonjour - Can someone explain the grammaire for  "je vois l'architecte arriver"?  Why is "arriver" an infinitive?  Merci!

Accepted Answer

Hi White, 
Just to add to what has already been said, please take a look at Aurélie's answer to a similar question.
Maybe the problem is because 'l'architecte' (COD) is before the second verb arriver?
It could have been -
Je vois arriver l'architecte
https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/view/deux-verbes-en-une-sentance
Hope this helps!

Answer

Hi White,I haven't listened to the exercise but have noted the title and words of the introduction."Je vois l'architecte arriver" --> I see the architect coming or arriving.Je - subject pronoun first person singularVois - first person singular conjugation of voirL'architecte - direct object of voirArriver - verb infinitive, intransitive usageHope this helps.Bonne continuation.Jim

Answer

He vois l'architecte arriver. -- I see the architect arrive.In French, the infinitive can be used in this way to stand for an action that's happening right now, concurrently with the other action mentioned in the sentence (je vois).

Answer

Bonjour White,I think the confusion comes from the difference in how we would express this in English:   "...I see the architect arriving..."The lesson below may help. It explains the use of the infinitive in French where we use the "-ing" form of the verb in English:Translating the -ing form of verbs with L'Infinitif (not -ant) (lawlessfrench.com)If this link doesn't work, just go to: Library then Click on A2 and look under:Verb tenses and conjugaisons.Hope this helps.