Gerund vs infinitive

Lincoln H.C1Kwiziq community member

For the last sentence "je les ai vus descendre de leur voiture", I wanted to say "je les ai vus en descendant". Would my version basically mean "I saw them while I was getting out of the car"? Or can you use en descendant to refer to the aunt and uncle in this case? Thanks in advance.

This question relates to:French writing exercise "Engagement surprise"

Freeform Writing Exercise C1

Asked 4 years ago

Like0Answer1

CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Hi Lincoln,

If yous say -

Je les ai vus en descendant de la/ma voiture

it means that you saw them whilst getting out of the car and it can only refer to you, the two actions being consecutive :

you see them as you get out of the car.

I hope this helps!

Like04 years ago

Lincoln H. asked:

Gerund vs infinitive

For the last sentence "je les ai vus descendre de leur voiture", I wanted to say "je les ai vus en descendant". Would my version basically mean "I saw them while I was getting out of the car"? Or can you use en descendant to refer to the aunt and uncle in this case? Thanks in advance.

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