Explanation
Exercises
Sense verbs — look, sound, feel, taste, smell
linking verbs (state) vs action uses

Core patterns

PatternMeaningExample
sense verb + adjective Describes the subject’s quality/state (linking use). You look tired. • The soup smells wonderful. • That jacket feels soft.
sense verb + like + noun Comparison to a thing/person. You sound like your mother. • It tastes like lemon.
sense verb + as if/as though + clause Impression based on evidence; clause can use past for tentativeness. She looks as if she hadn’t slept. • It sounds as though they were arguing.
informal: sense verb + like + clause Spoken alternative to as if/as though. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

Short phrases such as to me / to her / to everyone are common after these patterns: It sounds odd to me.

Linking use vs action use

  • Linking (state) — no adverbs; take adjectives: The flowers smell nice.
  • Action — real activity; adverbs possible: She smelled the milk carefully.
  • Action with look at / listen to / taste / smell as verbs of action: He looked at me strangely.

Compare: He looked happy (appearance) vs He looked carefully (action).

Adjective or adverb?

  • After sense verbs used as linking verbs, use an adjective, not an adverb: ✔ It tastes good, ✖ tastes well.
  • well only means “in good health/with skill”: She looks well (healthy); otherwise use good.
  • Common adjective sets: good/bad, nice/awful, sweet/salty, rough/smooth, warm/cold, loud/quiet, strange/familiar.

like vs of (taste/smell)

  • taste/smell like = similar to: This sauce tastes like peanuts.
  • taste/smell of = contains/has the flavour/odour of: The bread smells of garlic.

Near-synonyms & special uses

  • seem / appear work like linking verbs: It seems impossible.
  • feel like + -ing = “want to”: I feel like staying in.
  • look + noun (without like) with a few nouns: You look a mess.

Common pitfalls

  • Don’t split the verb and complement: ✔ It sounds really interesting (not ✖ sounds really interesting to me? — place to me at the end).
  • After as if/as though, the past form often shows an unreal/less certain idea: He sounds as if he were angry.
  • Use look at / listen to for the action of seeing/hearing deliberately; plain look / sound for appearance/impression.

Natural starter frames: It looks/sounds/feels… • That/This looks… • To me, it sounds…

Exercises:
1
2
3

Sense Verbs: look, sound, feel, etc.

Choose the most suitable forms of the following verbs of the senses for each gap below.
1
This curry incredible — have you added cardamom?
2
Your proposal a solid plan.
3
He tired today — maybe he didn’t sleep well.
4
The fabric very soft against the skin.
5
From the empty streets, it as if the buses are on strike.
6
This sauce too salty — add some water.
7
From the logs, the server be restarting in a loop.
8
The room of fresh paint.
9
That playlist something from the 90s.
10
The sky stormy — take an umbrella.

Sense Verbs: look, sound, feel, etc.

Choose the most suitable forms of the following verbs of the senses to complete the sentences below.
1
You ____ tired today — maybe take a short break.
A.
B.
C.
2
That plan ____ a lot of work, but it’s worth it.
A.
B.
C.
3
The soup ____ delicious with fresh basil.
A.
B.
C.
4
It ____ as if they’re closing the street for the parade.
A.
B.
C.
5
She ____ to know everyone here.
A.
B.
C.
6
This fabric ____ softer than the one we bought last time.
A.
B.
C.
7
Your idea ____ it needs a quick pilot before launch.
A.
B.
C.
8
The whole place ____ of fresh paint.
A.
B.
C.
9
From up here, the mountains ____ much closer than they really are.
A.
B.
C.
10
He ____ to have missed the last train.
A.
B.
C.

Sense Verbs: look, sound, feel, etc.

For each dialogue, fill in the gaps with the verbs in brackets and any necessary extra words.
1
A: Did you sleep at all last night?
B: You really exhausted. (look)
2
A: What about taking the express train?
B: That a faster option. (sound)
3
A: Try the soup.
B: Mmm, it fantastic. (taste)
4
A: Do you still need a jacket?
B: Not really — the air warm now. (feel)
5
A: Is something burning?
B: The kitchen . (smell)
6
A: Will the new schedule help?
B: It to work if we start earlier. (seem)
7
A: Have you heard from Carlos today?
B: He to be avoiding emails. (appear)
8
A: Should we take umbrellas?
B: It as if it might snow. (look)
9
A: Liam hasn’t said a word.
B: He as though he’s upset. (sound)
10
A: What do you want to do tonight?
B: I staying in and watching a film. (feel)