VERBS OF THE SENSES

1.-  CAN  --> HEAR / SEE / SMELL / FEEL / TASTE

a.)  When something happens in the present, but not during continuous tenses.

I can smell gas.

b.) Hear / See : You can use them in continuous tense.

I've been hearing good things about you recently

I'm seeing James tonight.

2.-  HEAR / SEE + INFINITIVE / GERUND

a.)  Hear / See + Object + Gerund

When an action is in progress or it's a repeated action.

EX: I heard the girl playing Chopin.


3.- a.)  LOOK / FEEL / SMELL / SOUND / TASTE + ADJECTIVE

           EX: That smells delicious.

     b.)  LOOK / FEEL / SMELL / SOUND / TASTE + LIKE + NOUN

           EX: It sounds like thunder.

     c.) LOOK / FEEL / SMELL / SOUND / TASTE +  AS IF / AS THOUGH + CLAUSE

          EX: She looked as if / as though she had been crying.

     d.) SMELL / TASTE OF  ≠ SMELL / TASTE  LIKE

          EX: It tastes of garlic (It has the taste)

          EX: It tastes like garlic ( It is similar to garlic.)


4.-  SEEM ≠ LOOK

      a.) SEEM + ADJECTIVE. Seem does not use the continuous tense.

           EX: You seem worried.

      b.) SEEM + INFINITIVE

           EX: You seem to be a little down.

      c.) LIKE + NOUN 

           EX: It seemed like a good idea.


      d.) SEEMS + AS IF / AS THOUGH + VERB PHRASE

           EX: It seems as if / as though every time I clean the car it rains.