Verbs of the Senses: see, hear, feel
Verbs of perception — see, hear, watch, feel, notice, listen to — follow special patterns at B2. What follows them (an infinitive without to, or an -ing form) changes the…
Verbs of perception — see, hear, watch, feel, notice, listen to — follow special patterns at B2. What follows them (an infinitive without to, or an -ing form) changes the meaning subtly.
The two key patterns
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sense verb + object + bare infinitive | the complete action (start to finish) | I saw her leave. |
| sense verb + object + -ing | an action in progress (part of it) | I saw her leaving. |
Complete vs in progress“I watched him cross the road” = I saw the whole crossing, beginning to end. “I watched him crossing the road” = I saw him in the middle of crossing. The bare infinitive = the full event; -ing = a snapshot in progress.
Linking (copular) sense verbs
look, sound, smell, taste, feel can act like linking verbs, followed by an adjective — or by like + noun, or as if/as though + clause:
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| + adjective | It smells delicious. |
| + like + noun | It sounds like a great idea. |
| + as if / as though + clause | You look as if you’ve seen a ghost. |
Examples from EduCareer
- I heard Aisha answer the question perfectly. (whole answer)
- I could hear students practising in the next room. (in progress)
- This exercise looks difficult, but it sounds like fun.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersAfter see/hear/watch + object, do not use “to”: say “I saw her leave,” never “I saw her to leave.” And after look/sound/smell/taste/feel, use an adjective, not an adverb: “It smells good,” not “It smells well.”
Common mistakes
- I saw her to leave. → I saw her leave.
- It smells well. → It smells good.
- You look like tired. → You look tired. / You look like a tourist.
Practise with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1."I saw her ___ the building." (whole action)
sense verb + object + bare infinitive.
2."I saw her ___ as I drove past." (in progress)
action in progress → -ing.
3."It smells ___."
linking verb + adjective.
4."You look ___ you've seen a ghost."
as if + clause.
5.After 'see + object', do we use 'to'?
bare infinitive, no 'to'.
6."That ___ like a great plan."
sounds like + noun.
7."I watched him ___ the whole race." (start to finish)
complete action → bare infinitive.
8."I could hear them ___ next door." (in progress)
ongoing → -ing.
9.Which is correct?
adjective after linking verb.
10.Which is correct?
see + object + bare infinitive.
11."This tea tastes ___."
taste + adjective.
12."He looks ___ his father."
look like + noun.
13."I noticed someone ___ at the door (the whole act)."
complete action → bare infinitive.
14."I felt the ground ___ beneath my feet." (in progress)
ongoing sensation → -ing (shake also possible).
15."It feels ___ rain is coming."
as if + clause.
16."We listened to the choir ___ beautifully." (in progress)
-ing emphasises the ongoing performance.
17."Your idea sounds ___."
sound + adjective.
18."I saw the thief ___ the wallet and run." (complete)
complete action → bare infinitive.
19."You look ___ today — did you sleep well?"
look + adjective.
20."This ___ as though it will work."
looks as though + clause.
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