Sunday, November 29, 2009

Help! Where has Grammar gone?

Often I hear people on television say things like:

I never seen it coming.

Please note that:
'saw' is the past tense of 'see'
For example: I see you in the picture.
Yesterday, I saw you at the Mall.

'I seen you.' is wrong, wrong, wrong.
We must say:
I have seen the movie, 'White Christmas six times.'
or She has seen the movie, 'White Christmas six times.'
You can say it quickly like:
I've seen the movie, 'White Christmas'. or
She's seen the movie, 'White Christmas.'
But you cannot say
I seen the movie, 'White Christmas'.
or She seen the movie, 'White Christmas'.
It is not correct English.
So in order to prevent early grey hair in English teachers or others who believe grammar is important, please try to use 'see' and 'seen' correctly.

Thank you.