Verbs of the Senses B2 Exercises & Practice Test

Practice B2 level verbs of the senses (see, hear, feel, smell, taste) with exercises, quizzes and explanations. Improve English grammar skills online.

Verbs of the Senses Exercises

Verbs of the senses are important in English grammar because they tell us about how we experience the world around us. The verbs of the senses are: see, hear, feel, smell, taste. B2 level learners need to know not only their basic meanings but also how they are used differently depending on the structure and context.

Types of Sense Verbs

Verbs of sense are split into two broad categories:

Active sense perception (action meaning)

When we talk about something we do on purpose, we usually use the base form of the verb.

I see a bird in the tree.
I hear music from the next room.
I smell something burning.

Here the meaning is contingent and derived from direct perception.

Descriptive sense (adjective + sense verb)

We often use sense verbs + adjectives to say what something is like.

The soup tastes delicious.
She looks tired today.
The music sounds beautiful.
This fabric feels soft.
The room smells fresh.

This is a very common structure in everyday English and is important for B2 learners to learn.

Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

The important thing to know about B2 is that sense verbs can be both linking verbs and action verbs.

Compare with:

I smell the coffee. (I actively notice the smell)
The coffee smells strong. (Description of the coffee)
I see him in the distance. (action)
He looks angry. (state/description)

Sense verbs are not followed by adverbs but by adjectives when used as linking verbs.

Continuous Forms with Sense Verbs

Some verbs of the senses are not usually used in continuous forms when they refer to perception:

Incorrect: I am seeing a bird (when meaning “I notice”)
Correct: I see a bird

But they can be used in continuous forms if they have different meanings.

I am seeing my doctor tomorrow. (meeting)
I am feeling better today. (health condition, temporary state)

Common Patterns to Know

At B2 level, you can use these patterns very well:

look / sound / feel / taste / smell + adjective
see / hear + object + verb (base form or -ing form)
- I saw him cross the street.
- I heard her singing.
It looks like / It sounds like
- It looks like rain.
- It sounds like a good idea.