Discussion Groups / English Usage / December 2003

moralesdn@aol.com (Moralesdn) wrote on 01 Jan 2004:

The first sentence, with "receive", seems to me to be more abstract and
general than the second, with "receiving". The latter suggest to me
that the writer actually saw individual members of the category "the
impoverished" receive help, while the former doesn't seem to require
the voyeuristic presence of the writer.

Both versions are grammatically correct. In the end, I suspect that
there is no real difference in their meanings. I would not change the
sentence in this case unless it is inconsistent with the writer's style  
or you feel, based on what the writer means, that a more immediate
sense of witnessing is required.

Someone wrote:

Possibly, but the immediacy of "witness" does lead to "receiving." Don't forget
to end the sentence with an exclamation point.

Both versions are grammatical, but they are both lousy rhetorically
because they are really hard to comprehend on first reading.

Write:

What a joy it is to be present as the impoverished receive help.

I give you this advice despite disliking the sentiment expressed.

Gary