Verbs of Perception

Set 1 (action) listen to look at touch smell taste

Set 2 (non-action) hear see* feel* smell taste

Set 3 (non-action) sound look feel smell taste

Set 1 verbs indicate that the perceiver is "focusing" on a specific object. They can be used in the progressive.

Amir is listening to the radio.
Dhea and Amir are looking at the picture.
Dhea is smelling the flowers.

Set 2 verbs indicate general perception and are non-progressive.

Amir hears a noise. Amir and Dhea see flames. Dhea smells smoke.

(Not: He is hearing…) (Not: They are seeing...)

Set 3 verbs indicate appearance. (It "seems"…) They are non-progressive.

That sounds like thunder. This looks terrible. It smells fishy.

(describes the object, not the perceiver)

*When feel is used to describe emotions, the progressive is sometimes used.

Amir feel great today. Dhea feel cold today. .

Amir am feeling great today. (physical feeling is usually non-progressive)

*See can sometimes be used in expressions in the progressive.

Dhea is seeing the doctor.
Amir 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:

Amir and Dhea heard you leave. (Okay. Emphasis on our hearing.)
Amir and Dhea heard you leaving. (Okay. Emphasis on your leaving.)
Amir and Dhea heard you to leave. (Incorrect!)

Other examples:

I saw her go.
Look at that man run!
Sylvesterlistened to the canary sing.
Amir and Dhea watched them play basketball.
Mr.Amir and Mss.Dhea watched them playing basketball.
Mr.Amir can feel the wind blowing against her skin.
Mr. Amir sensed the lion approaching.