Explanation
Exercises
Perception verbs (look, sound, feel, smell, taste, see, hear)
B2 • reference

1) Stative vs dynamic uses

Stative When the verb names the impression your senses receive, it behaves like a linking verb. Continuous forms are not used.

  • You smell nice. (not are smelling)
  • This soup tastes fantastic. (not is tasting)
  • She looks tired. You sound happy.
Now meaning: use can/can’t with sense verbs → I can’t hear you. / I can see the mountains.

Dynamic Continuous forms are possible when the action is deliberate or has a different meaning.

  • Why are you smelling the milk? (=checking it)
  • He’s tasting the sauce. (=testing flavour)
  • I’m feeling the fabric. (=touching)
  • Why are you looking over there?

With feel you can also talk about physical/mental state: I’m not feeling well.

2) Extra meanings of see/hear

  • I’m seeing Jerry for lunch. (=meeting)
  • We have been seeing each other. (=dating)
  • I’ve been hearing odd rumours about him. (=receiving information)

These are dynamic uses, so progressive forms are natural.

3) Complements after perception verbs

Pattern Use Example
look/sound/feel/smell/taste + ADJECTIVE Linking verb (= “seem”). Describes quality. Your skin feels smooth. / He sounded nervous.
… + like + NOUN Comparison with a noun. You sound like your mother. / This tastes like chicken.
… + as if/as though + CLAUSE Comparison with a whole situation; formal/neutral. You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.
… + like + CLAUSE Informal alternative to as if/as though. You sound like you didn’t sleep.
smell/taste of + NOUN The real ingredient/odour is present. The soup smells of garlic.
see/hear/feel/notice/watch + OBJECT + -ing Action in progress / incomplete / repeated. I saw them kissing in the park.
see/hear/feel/notice/watch + OBJECT + bare infinitive Complete, usually short, single action. We watched the runner fall.

Listen (to) behaves like the verbs above when followed by an object: We listened to her sing / singing.

4) Seem, appear & look

  • seem/appear + ADJ → He seems upset.
  • seem like + NOUN → It seems like a mistake.
  • It seems/appears that + CLAUSE
  • seem/appear + to + INF (present) / to have + PP (past)
    She appears to be fine. / He seems to have lost the file.
Look vs seem: You look tired (visual evidence). You seem tired (overall impression from behaviour/voice).

5) Adjective, not adverb

When perception verbs are linking (stative) verbs, they take an adjective, not an adverb—just like be.

  • ✔ You look terrible. ✘ look terribly (meaning “seem”).
  • ✔ She felt bad after that. ✘ felt badly.

Use adverbs only when the verb is truly an action verb: He tasted the soup carefully.

Exercises:
1
2
3

Perception verbs (look, sound, feel, etc.)

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below.
1
From your voice on the phone, you .
2
This soup .
3
From the clicking noise, it the printer is jammed again.
4
He my emails lately.
5
The fabric incredibly soft.
6
That plan a quick fix, but it won’t solve the root problem.
7
It rain; take an umbrella.
8
He he hadn’t slept at all.
9
Do you like going for a walk?
10
It that the launch will be delayed.

Perception verbs (look, sound, feel, etc.)

Choose the correct option/s for the sentences below.
Instruction: Choose the correct option/s for each sentence. Some items have one correct answer; others have more than one.
1
This curry ____ incredible — what spices did you use?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
Your proposal ____ a solid plan to me.
A.
B.
C.
D.
3
He ____ to have misunderstood the brief.
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
The soup ____ a bit salty; add some water.
A.
B.
C.
D.
5
It ____ as if the server is down again.
A.
B.
C.
D.
6
How ____ after the operation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
7
This fabric ____ much softer than that one.
A.
B.
C.
D.
8
The crowd ____ more anxious as the delay went on.
A.
B.
C.
D.
9
It ____ you didn’t read the terms carefully.
A.
B.
C.
D.
10
The whole room ____ fresh paint.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Perception verbs (look, sound, feel, etc.)

Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets.
1
Original: I think she is exhausted.
Transform: She . (look)
2
Original: The instructions are not clear to me.
Transform: To me, the instructions . (sound)
3
Original: I believe it will rain soon.
Transform: It it will rain soon. (look as if)
4
Original: This fabric is very soft.
Transform: The fabric . (feel)
5
Original: There is a smell of smoke in here.
Transform: It in here. (smell of/like)
6
Original: The sauce is a bit too sweet.
Transform: The sauce . (taste)
7
Original: From the figures, I think the company is doing well.
Transform: From the figures, the company . (seem to)
8
Original: I have the impression that he is lying.
Transform: He he is lying. (sound as if)
9
Original: The metal became cold when the sun set.
Transform: After sunset, the metal . (feel)
10
Original: That cloud has the shape of a dragon.
Transform: That cloud . (look like)