Perception

Set 1 verbs are used to show "focus" on a specific object and can be used as progressives:

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 noise.    (NOT:  He is hearing. . .)

They see flames.

She smells smoke.

He hears noise.    (NOT:  He is hearing. . .)

They see flames.

She smells smoke.

Set 3 verbs indiacte appearance.   (it "seems" ...)They are non-progressive.

That sounds like thunder.                                (describes the object, not the perceiver)

This looks terrible.

It smells fishy

He hears noise.    (NOT:  He is hearing. . .)

They see flames.

She smells smoke.

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