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.

He is listening to the radio.

They are looking at the picture.

She is smelling the flowers.

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

He hears a noise. They see flames. She 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.

I feel great today. I feel cold today.

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

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

She is seeing the doctor.

He is seeing another woman.