Verbs of Perception

Verbs of Perception refer to those verbs which talk about sensing:

• see/look/watch/notice/observe
• hear/listen to
• taste
• smell
• touch/feel
• sense

These verbs can be used in different ways.

Progressive

Used in the progressive, these verbs indicate the subject is focussing on a particular object:

He is watching television

She's listening to music

He was smelling different perfumes

I am feeling ill.

Object + Infinitive

Some verbs of perception can be used with an object and then the infinitive (without to):

{verb of perception} + {object} + {infinitive}

I watched it explode.

I heard them shout.

Note that we don't use this construction for taste, smell or touch. However, we can use it with feel:

I felt him shudder.

She felt him relax.

 

more info:  http://teflworldwiki.com/index.php/Verbs_of_Perception