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

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence 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

Choose the correct options for the gaps in these sentences.
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

Rewrite the second part of the sentence without repeating the verb or verb phrase. Include ‘to’ when it is required. Don’t include ‘to’ when it can be dropped.
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)