Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Question

_I can hear the telephone ring.
_I can hear the telephone ringing.

Answer 1

They're both right.
The first means that a "telephone ring", as in the ring of the telephone, is something that you can hear.
The second means that the telephone is currently ringing and you can hear it.

If you're supposed to choose one, the second would be more correct. I sort of interpreted the first one generously.

Answer 2

Both, but they have different meanings. "I can hear the telephone ring" means that WHEN the phone DOES ring, you are able to hear it. You probably wouldn't have any reason to use this sentence though. "I can hear the telephone ringing" means that the phone is CURRENTLY ringing and that you are able to hear it. It's more likely that you would mean this.

I just read others' responses, and I am pleased that some of them knew both were correct, but disappointed that most of the people who knew the correct answer were incapable of wording their explanations in a grammatically correct manner. I can understand if English is not your first language, but in the event that you've grow up with it, I should hope that you'd figure out how to use it properly.

Answer 3

Actually the two sentences are correct grammatically, but they are kinda different in their meanings, that is …

1-I can hear the telephone ring = you can hear the "sound" of the telephone, "ring" in here is a noun, "the telephone ring" here is like when you say "the door bell".
2-I can hear the telephone ringing = you can hear the telephone making the ringing sound.

So, viewed grammatically, the two sentences are correct but, I would say that the SECOND one is more accurate because that is what people usually say when they hear the phone.

Answer 4

The first one "I can hear the telephone ring." is used when you're talking in general like "I can hear the telephone ring even if I'm asleep." You're aren't talking about right now.

The second "I can hear the telephone ringing." means you can hear it right this second like "I can hear the telephone ringing right now evn though my music is on."


Both of these are grammatically correct depending on how you use them. I hope I helped you out. God bless you.

Answer 5

I can hear the telephone ringing

Answer 6

If you are stating a fact, some thing you can do, the top one is correct, same as "I can do a hand stand" or "I can do it", while the second sentence states that the telephone is actively ringing now and you should answer it!!

Answer 7

They both are correct. It depends on what you are trying to say.

I can hear the telephone ring is like saying I can see the sky. It's just a statement of fact.

I can hear the telephone ringing is like saying I can hear the radio playing. It's another statement of fact.

Answer 8

I can hear the telephone ringing.

Answer 9

I can hear the telephone ringing.

Answer 10

Both are correct. The first sentence means that you are in a position to hear the phone if and when it rings. The second sentence means that the phone is ringing now, and you can hear it.