the verbs of perception

[Gerald]

Dear friends,

The verb of perception like the word "see" is not used with continuous tense.How about the sentence "Iam seeing someone".

Should it be "the dog is smelling something or the Dog smells something"

"i cant help but to notice it" or "i cant help but noticing it".
Thanks
Nick

[Milanya]

"I am seeing someone". means "I am dating someone," "I have a girlfriend/boyfriend." It does not mean " I am in the process of looking at this person."
"The Dog smells something" means "The dog can feel this smell." "The dog is smelling something." means "The dog is in the process of sniffing it right now."
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con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.

[Nanucbe]

'See' is different from 'Look at' Whether you prefer or not you may have to see things unless you are blind or close your eyes . The same is true with 'hear' If you are particularly interested in some audio, you listen to it. It is true also with 'like' or remember. This only makes me remember M's advertisment "i'm lovin' it." best of luck, nanucbe

[Gerald]

What about this sentence

"i cant help but to notice it" or "i cant help but noticing it".

[Nanucbe]

The second one " I can't help but noticing it" is the correct one. Left to myself I would prefer only this. The word 'notice' here has the meaning of not just 'see' or 'look at' but includes both and goes beyond.(look at and make a special note of what is happening.) best of luck, nanucbe.