S1 Verbs of Perception

“hear, see, watch, notice, feel, smell” and similar verbs of perception can be followed by
object + bare infinitive
or object + -ing form. ...

The infinitive is used after these verbs when we want to say that we hear or see the whole of an action or
event.
The –ing form is used to suggest that we hear an action or event in progress.

I heard Mr Hew sing a lovely song at his wedding anniversary. (As I sat listening, he started singing a song to
his wife and I listened to him until he finished it.)
I heard Cho Hee singing a song as I walked past her room. (When I heard her she was singing a song – she
was probably in the middle of her singing. Anyway, I didn’t hear the entire song.)

Practice A
 I heard a famous opera star sing at the concert last night.
 When I walked into the apartment, I heard my roommate singing in the shower.

1. Detective: Did you see anything strange last night?

Witness: I saw a man ______________ (run) down the street.

2. A: I saw Trevor Noah ______________ (perform) a new act last week.

3. B: When I walked into the comedy club, I saw Trevor Noah ______________ (perform) a new act.

4. When I woke up, I noticed my dog ______________ (snore) loudly next to me.

5. I can feel the baby ______________ (move) inside me.

Practice B
Situation: I was downtown yesterday. I saw the police. They were chasing a thief.
→ When I was downtown yesterday, I saw the police chasing a thief.

1. Situation: The front door slammed. I got up to see if someone had come in.
→ When I heard the front door ______________, I got up to see if someone had come in.

2. Situation: Uncle Ray is in the bedroom. He is snoring.

→ I know Uncle Ray is in the bedroom because I hear him _________________
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3. Situation: When I walked past the park, some children were playing basketball.
→ When I walked past the park, I saw some children _________________ basketball.

4. Situation: It was graduation day in the auditorium. When the school principal called my name, I walked to
the front of the room.
→ When I heard the school principal _____________ my name, I walked to the front of the auditorium to
receive my diploma.

5. Situation: I glanced out the window. Alice was walking toward the house. I was surprised.
→ I was surprised when I glanced out the window and saw Alice ______________________

6. Situation: Someone is calling for help in the distance. I suddenly hear that.
→ Listen! Do you hear someone _________________ for help?

7. Situation: My daughter’s team plays soccer every weekend. I always watch the team when they play a game.
→ I enjoy watching my daughter ________________ soccer every weekend.

8. Situation: I went to bed around eleven. At that time, the people in the next apartment were singing and
laughing.
→ When I went to bed last night around eleven, I could hear the people in the next apartment
__________________ and _______________. I had trouble getting to sleep because they were making so
much noise.

9. Situation: A fly landed on the table. I swatted it with a rolled up newspaper.

→ As soon as I saw the fly __________________ on the table, I swatted it with a rolled up newspaper.

10. Situation: I smell smoke. Something must be burning.

→ Do you smell something __________________? I do.

11. Situation: I was sitting in class. Suddenly someone touched my shoulder.

→ I was startled in class yesterday when I felt someone ______________ my shoulder. I didn’t mind.
It just surprised me. It was Fion. She wanted to borrow my dictionary.

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Practice C
If we want to say that we heard or saw the whole action from beginning to end, we usually use bare infinitive:
 I saw him sign the cheque.
If we want to say that we only saw or heard part of the action, we use -ing form:
 I saw the consultant waiting in reception. (I saw the consultant. He was waiting in reception.)

1. Did you hear those dogs _______________ (bark) most of the night?
2. I noticed him _______________ (throw) a sweet wrapper on the floor, so I asked him to pick it up.
3. I was able to watch them _______________ (build) the new car park from my office window.
4. I watched him _______________ (climb) through the window, and then I called the police.
5. I heard the baby _______________ (cry) for most of the night.
6. When you came out of the station, did you notice the children _______________ (play) musical
instruments across the street?
7. Vicky heard someone _______________ (close) the door.
8. We found Matthew _______________ (exercise) in the gym.
9. She saw a man _______________ (lie) in the street.
10. He heard the bomb _______________ (explode).
11. I saw a woman _______________ (cry). She was in a terrible state.
12. I felt the snake _______________ (bite) me and saw it slither off into the bushes.

Practice D
Complete the sentences with any appropriate verbs. Both the simple form and the –ing form are possible with
little, if any, difference in meaning.
Example: Renee was working in the garden, so she didn’t hear the phone____ring / ringing___.
1. I like to listen to the birds __________________ when I get up early in the morning.
2. The guard observed a suspicious-looking person ____________________ into the bank.
3. There was an earthquake in my hometown last year. It was just a small one, but I could feel the ground
_______________________
4. I was almost asleep last night when I suddenly heard someone ___________________on the door.
5. While I was waiting for my plane, I watched other planes ____________________.
6. I noticed her quickly _______________ (slip) the necklace inside her coat and leave the shop.
7. I watched Ray _______________ (light) a cigarette.
8. She didn’t notice me _______________ (slip) on a banana peel.
9. Listen! Can you hear someone _______________ (play) music?
10. Did you just hear a car _______________ (crash)?
11. I think I can smell something _______________ (burn) in the kitchen.
12. I noticed you _______________ (put) those batteries in the trash.
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Practice E
 The sleeping child felt his mother kiss his cheek.
 He felt his wife tossing and turning in bed.

1. I could hear someone _______________ (cry) next door.

2. I just saw a man _______________ (fall) off that bridge.
3. I noticed a homeless person _______________ (sleep) on a bench as I passed by.
4. Do you see that boy _______________ (ride) his bike with no hands!
5. I’ve never heard that person _______________ (say) a kind word to anyone.
6. On our camping trip we saw the forest _______________ (burn), so we left in a hurry.
7. I want to hear you _______________ (practice) that piece on the piano before you go play.
8. We noticed several people _______________ (do) Tai Chi in the park.
9. They observed a meteorite _______________ (cross) the sky.
10. Watch me _______________ (climb) to the top of that tree!
11. She sensed someone _______________ (stare) at her, so she turned around.
12. Look at all the birds _______________ (fly) south for the winter.

Practice F
1. I can hear someone _______________ (come) up the stairs.
2. Keng Tong noticed a letter _______________ (lie) on the floor when he opened the front door.
3. Watch me _______________ (jump) over that fence!
4. Wei Sheng listened to her _______________ (tell) her story and then decided to leave.
5. Just look at that cat _______________ (chase) those birds.
6. When she heard a bird _______________ (sing), she knew it was almost morning time.
7. We noticed several people _______________ (stand) in line as we came in.
8. They observed a herd of elephants _______________ (cross) the road in front of them.
9. Watch me _______________ (eat) this piece of pie!
10. He sensed someone _______________ (follow) him, so he started to walk faster.
11. Look at the bears _______________ (fish) for salmon in the river.
12. I saw him _______________ (get up) from the fall and continue running.

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