Level: High Beginning and Up
Pair with the Songs: “Wichita Lineman” (Glenn Campell, 1968); “Don’t Start Now” (Dua Lipa, 2020)
Recommended Videos:
“Wichita Lineman”: audio only; live performance
“Don’t Start Now”: live performance

Some common verbs of perception are: see, notice, discover, find, hear, feel, and smell. Verbs of perception are often used in sentences that follow this pattern: verb of perception + someone or something + the -ing form of a verb. In “Wichita Lineman,” the lineman says, “I hear you singin’ in the wires,” and in “Don’t Start Now,” Dua Lipa repeats this phrase: “If you don’t wanna see me dancin’ with somebody.”  Permission granted to reproduce the worksheet below for classroom use. See the Lesson Plan for more teaching ideas for “Wichita Lineman.” Included in the lesson plan is the story behind the song.

verbs of perception.docx          verbs of perception.pdf

Verbs of Perception

1. Read about verbs of perception.

A. We use verbs of perception to talk about things that we see, hear, taste, feel, and smell. Some common verbs of perception are: see, notice, discover, find, hear, feel, and smell.

B. Verbs of perception are often used in sentences like this one: We smelled cookies baking.C. Notice the pattern:

verb of perception (smelled) +
someone or something (cookies) +
the -ing form of a verb (baking)

The verb in its -ing form describes an action that is in progress. (The cookies were already baking when we smelled them.)

2. Complete the sentences below with a verb in its -ing form. There is more than one way to complete each sentence.

1. What woke you up?
I heard the neighbor’s dog ______barking___________.

2. How did you know you were getting close to the airport?
I saw planes _________________________ and _________________________.

3. Why did you run into the kitchen?
I smelled the rice _________________________.

4. What woke you up this morning?
I heard birds _________________________ outside my window.

5. Did you enjoy the picnic?
Well, I was enjoying it until I felt ants _________________________ up my leg.

6. Why did you slow down?
I noticed red lights _________________________ ahead.

7. Where was the kitten?
I found it _________________________ under our porch.

8. Why do you always get hungry when you walk down that street?
I smell pizza _________________________ in the Italian restaurant.

9. What was wrong with your car?
The mechanic discovered oil _________________________ from the engine.

3. Make your own sentence in this pattern: verb of perception + someone or something + the -ing form of a verb. Share your sentence with the class.

Answer Key

Possible Answers to Questions 1-9:

1. barking
2. taking off, landing
3. burning
4. singing
5. crawling
6. flashing or blinking
7. hiding or sleeping
8. baking
9. leaking

Worksheet: © 2020 Sandra Heyer. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
Photo: © voneyben | Dreamstime. Reprinted with permission.