Set 1 verbs indicate that the
perceiver is "focusing" on a specific object. They can be
used in the progressive.
He is listening to the radio.
They are looking at the picture.
She is smelling the flowers.
Set 2 verbs indicate general
perception and are non-progressive.
He hears a
noise.
(Not: He is
hearing . . .)
They see
flames.
(Not: They
are seeing . . .)
She smells
smoke.
Set 3 verbs indicate appearance.
(It "seems"…) They are non-progressive.
That sounds
like thunder.
(describes
the object, not the perceiver)
This looks
terrible.
It smells
fishy.
*When feel is used to describe
emotions, the progressive is sometimes used.
I feel great
today.
I'm feeling
great today.
I feel cold
today.
(physical
feeling is usually non-progressive)
*See can sometimes be used in
expressions in the progressive.
She is seeing the doctor.
He is seeing another woman.
Special Usage of Certain Verbs
of Perception
Some verbs of perception see,
look at, hear, listen to, and feel, along with watch and
sense can be used with objects followed by other verbs (base
form or gerunds, but not infinitives).
Note the examples below:
We heard you leave. (Okay.
Emphasis on our hearing.)
We heard you leaving. (Okay.
Emphasis on your leaving.)
We heard you to leave.
(Incorrect!)
Other examples:
I saw her go.
Look at that man run!
Sylvesterlistened to the canary
sing.
We watched them play basketball.
We watched them playing
basketball.
Trudy can feel the wind blowing
against her skin.
Mr. Todd sensed the lion
approaching.
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