3

The sentence:

Probably, after hearing him speak in English, they allowed him to enter in the pub.

So, can I use speaking in place of speak?

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  • 1
    In this instance, the gerund-participle could be substituted for the infinitive. Jul 15, 2017 at 21:24
  • 1
    @user55697 You should say "enter the pub," NOT "enter IN the pub."
    – Gustavson
    Jul 15, 2017 at 22:18
  • When gerund participle could be substituted for infinitive @ pe dant
    – user55697
    Jul 15, 2017 at 22:40
  • When? In the sentence in your question. Or do I misunderstand? Jul 16, 2017 at 1:48
  • @user55697 there is no rule; when a gerund may be substituted depends on which verb is being used; when a gerund might be substituted depends on style issues, including the context. Jul 16, 2017 at 2:42

1 Answer 1

2

Yes you can - either of these work:

Probably, after hearing him speak in English, they allowed him to enter the pub.

or

Probably, after hearing him speaking in English, they allowed him to enter the pub.

(Note that in both cases I dropped the "*in" from the final clause, is it is not correct)

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  • What's the difference in meaning between the two sentences?
    – user3395
    Jul 17, 2017 at 15:39
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    Good question @userr2684291. The meaning is almost the same. In the first one "they" might have "heard him speak" just once and it could be short. The second one implies that the "speaking" is going on for some time, and perhaps "they" just overheard it.
    – brendan
    Jul 19, 2017 at 17:45

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