I Seen or I Saw? Which is Correct?
One of the most common grammatical mistakes in English is the misuse of seen and saw. You may have heard people say, “I seen that movie last week,” or “I seen him at the store.” While these phrases are commonly used in casual speech, they are grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is I saw.
In this article, we will explore the difference between saw and seen, explain the correct usage of each, and provide examples to help illustrate the difference. Additionally, we’ll offer practice questions with answers to help you master the correct usage of saw and seen.
Table of Contents
Saw vs. Seen: Understanding the Difference
Before diving into the specifics of I saw and I seen, it’s important to understand the basic difference between these two forms of the verb see.
1. Saw: Simple Past Tense
Saw is the simple past tense of the verb see. It is used to describe an action that was completed in the past. Saw stands on its own without the need for any helping (auxiliary) verbs.
Example Sentences:
- I saw a great movie last night.
- She saw her friend at the mall yesterday.
- We saw the fireworks from our balcony.
In each of these examples, saw is used to describe an action (seeing) that happened at a specific point in the past.
2. Seen: Past Participle
Seen is the past participle of the verb see. Past participles are used in combination with helping verbs like have, has, or had. You cannot use seen on its own without a helping verb.
Example Sentences:
- I have seen that movie before.
- She has seen her friend at the mall.
- We had seen the fireworks before they stopped.
In these examples, seen is used with helping verbs (have, has, and had) to describe actions that have been completed or to link the past action to the present.
Summary of the Difference:
- Saw: Simple past tense of see. It stands alone and doesn’t require a helping verb.
- Seen: Past participle of see. It must be used with a helping verb (e.g., have, has, had).
Why I Seen is Incorrect
The phrase “I seen” is grammatically incorrect because seen is a past participle and must be used with a helping verb. In standard English, you cannot say “I seen” without including a helping verb like have or had. The correct form is “I have seen” or simply “I saw”.
Incorrect Usage:
- I seen the movie last night.
(This is incorrect because seen is missing a helping verb.)
Correct Usage:
- I saw the movie last night.
(This is correct because saw is the simple past tense and doesn’t need a helping verb.) - I have seen the movie before.
(This is correct because seen is used with the helping verb have.)
How to Use Saw and Seen Correctly
Let’s break down when to use the correct form of the verb see in different sentences.
1. Using Saw (Simple Past)
Use saw when you are talking about something you observed or witnessed at a specific time in the past. It does not need a helping verb.
Examples:
- I saw a shooting star last night.
(Describes a specific event that occurred in the past.) - She saw her brother at the airport last week.
(Describes a past event that happened at a particular time.) - We saw a beautiful sunset during our vacation.
(Describes something that was witnessed in the past.)
2. Using Seen (Past Participle with a Helping Verb)
Use seen when you are talking about something you have observed or witnessed, but only when paired with a helping verb (have, has, or had).
Examples:
- I have seen that movie multiple times.
(Describes an experience that happened in the past and may still be relevant.) - She has seen him around town before.
(Describes something she has observed in the past.) - We had seen the fireworks before they stopped.
(Describes something that happened before another past event.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Using Seen Without a Helping Verb
One of the most common mistakes is using seen without a helping verb, which is grammatically incorrect.
Incorrect:
- I seen him at the store yesterday.
(Incorrect because seen must be used with a helping verb.)
Correct:
- I saw him at the store yesterday.
(Correct because saw is used as the simple past tense of see.)
2. Using Saw When You Need Seen
Sometimes, people use saw when they should use seen with a helping verb, especially in perfect tenses.
Incorrect:
- I have saw that movie before.
(Incorrect because have should be followed by the past participle seen.)
Correct:
- I have seen that movie before.
(Correct because seen is the past participle used with have.)
3. Confusing the Two Forms
It’s easy to confuse saw and seen because they both refer to past actions. To avoid confusion, remember that saw stands alone and seen always needs a helping verb.
Tip:
- If there’s no helping verb (have, has, had) in the sentence, you should use saw.
- If there is a helping verb, you should use seen.
Practice Questions: I Saw or I Seen?
Let’s test your understanding with the following practice questions.
Question 1:
Which word is correct in the following sentence?
- I _ the sunrise this morning.
a) saw
b) seen
Answer:
a) saw
Explanation: The correct word is saw because it is the simple past tense and doesn’t need a helping verb.
Question 2:
Fill in the blank with the correct word:
- We _ the movie before it was released in theaters.
Answer:
We had seen the movie before it was released in theaters.
Explanation: The correct word is seen because it is used with the helping verb had.
Question 3:
True or False:
I seen is grammatically correct.
Answer:
False.
Explanation: I seen is incorrect because seen must be used with a helping verb like have or had.
Question 4:
Which sentence is correct?
- a) I have saw that play before.
- b) I have seen that play before.
Answer:
b) I have seen that play before.
Explanation: The correct word is seen because it is paired with the helping verb have.
Question 5:
Fill in the blank:
- She _ the Grand Canyon during her trip last summer.
Answer:
She saw the Grand Canyon during her trip last summer.
Explanation: The correct word is saw because it is the simple past tense and describes a past event.
Conclusion
In summary, the key difference between saw and seen is that saw is the simple past tense of see, while seen is the past participle and must be used with a helping verb like have, has, or had.
Quick Recap:
- Saw: Simple past tense of see. Stands alone and does not require a helping verb.
- Example: I saw the concert last night.
- Seen: Past participle of see. Must be used with a helping verb (have, has, had).
- Example: I have seen that concert before.
By understanding the difference between saw and seen and practicing with examples, you can confidently use these forms of see in your writing and speech without making common mistakes like I seen.
