The English language is full of fascinating structures that help us describe our experiences with clarity and nuance. One such structure is the plural of perception, a grammatical construction that allows us to express what we sense—see, hear, feel, and more—when more than one person or thing is involved. Mastering the plural of perception is crucial for anyone who wants to write or speak vivid, precise English, especially in storytelling, descriptive passages, and everyday conversation.
Understanding how to use the plural of perception will help you avoid common mistakes, craft more engaging sentences, and communicate your ideas with greater accuracy. This topic is particularly relevant for students, teachers, ESL/EFL learners, writers, and language enthusiasts who wish to deepen their understanding of English syntax and style.
In this comprehensive article, you’ll explore the plural of perception in depth. We’ll cover its definitions, grammatical structure, usage rules, and subtleties.
You’ll see dozens of varied examples, learn to spot and correct common mistakes, practice with exercises, and even delve into advanced and literary uses. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned English user, this guide will provide you with everything you need to master the plural of perception.
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1. What is the Plural of Perception?
The plural of perception refers to grammatical constructions that describe what the subject senses (sees, hears, feels, etc.) when the object of perception is plural—meaning more than one person or thing. These structures are most commonly associated with perception verbs like see, hear, feel, notice, and watch.
It’s important to distinguish between literal perception (actual sensory experience) and grammatical perception (the way English encodes these experiences in sentences). In grammar, these constructions often follow a specific pattern involving a perception verb, a plural object, and an action (bare infinitive or participle).
For example: I saw the children cross the street (bare infinitive), or We heard the birds singing (present participle).
3.2. Grammatical Classification
In English syntax, the plural of perception construction typically contains:
- A subject (the perceiver)
- A perception verb
- A plural object (the thing(s) perceived)
- An object complement: either a bare infinitive (for immediate/complete actions) or a present participle (for ongoing actions)
These structures are closely related to object complements and the use of bare infinitive or present participle after certain verbs.
3.3. Function and Usage Contexts
The plural of perception is used to:
- Describe what someone experiences with their senses when multiple objects or people are involved
- Add emphasis, specificity, or vividness to descriptions
- Distinguish between immediate actions (“I saw them leave”) and ongoing actions (“I saw them leaving”)
Function | Example | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Describing simultaneous sensory experience | I heard the dogs barking. | Plural object + ongoing action |
Reporting witnessed event with multiple people | She saw the students enter the hall. | Plural object + completed action |
Emphasizing collective action | We watched the dancers perform. | Plural object + bare infinitive |
Describing habitual or repeated perception | They often hear birds singing at dawn. | Plural object + participle |
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1. Core Structure of Perception Sentences
The typical sentence pattern involving the plural of perception is:
Subject + Perception Verb + Plural Object + Bare Infinitive / Present Participle
Examples:
- We saw the players celebrate. (bare infinitive)
- She heard the children laughing. (present participle)
4.2. Perception Verbs and Their Patterns
Here are the most common perception verbs and the patterns they follow:
Verb | Pattern with Plural Object | Example |
---|---|---|
see | see + plural object + bare infinitive / present participle | I saw the dogs run/running. |
hear | hear + plural object + bare infinitive / present participle | We heard the bells ring/ringing. |
feel | feel + plural object + bare infinitive / present participle | She felt the raindrops hit/hitting her face. |
notice | notice + plural object + bare infinitive / present participle | He noticed the workers leave/leaving. |
watch | watch + plural object + bare infinitive / present participle | They watched the birds fly/flying. |
observe | observe + plural object + bare infinitive / present participle | The scientist observed the cells divide/dividing. |
smell | smell + plural object + present participle (rarely bare infinitive) | We smelled the flowers blooming. |
4.3. Singular vs. Plural Objects
When the object after a perception verb is singular, the verb form and agreement are straightforward. With plural objects, the structure remains the same, but the object and any related verbs or pronouns must agree in number.
- Singular: I saw the man leave.
- Plural: I saw the men leave.
4.4. Bare Infinitive vs. Present Participle
The choice between bare infinitive and present participle changes the meaning:
- Bare infinitive: immediate, complete, or entire action perceived
- Present participle: ongoing, incomplete, or simultaneous action perceived
Structure | Example | Meaning |
---|---|---|
Plural object + bare infinitive | I saw the children cross the road. | I saw the whole action (from start to finish). |
Plural object + present participle | I saw the children crossing the road. | I saw the children while they were in the process of crossing (ongoing). |
4.5. Passive Constructions
The plural of perception can also be used in the passive voice, often to focus on the object(s) being perceived:
- The students were seen entering the building.
- The birds were heard singing at dawn.
Pattern: Plural object + passive verb (was/were + past participle) + (bare infinitive / present participle)
5. Types or Categories
5.1. Direct Perception
Direct perception involves the perceiver experiencing the action with their own senses in real-time. The object is often plural:
- She saw the children playing in the park.
- They heard the bells ringing.
5.2. Indirect Perception
Indirect perception occurs when the perceiver becomes aware of something through implication, evidence, or another’s account, rather than direct sensory experience:
- He noticed the students had left their bags.
- She felt the windows shaking.
5.3. Immediate vs. Ongoing Action
Distinguishing between immediate and ongoing action is key in plural of perception constructions.
Type | Example | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Immediate (bare infinitive) | I saw the cars stop at the light. | Entire action observed (beginning to end). |
Ongoing (present participle) | I saw the cars stopping at the light. | Action in progress at the moment of perception. |
5.4. Explicit vs. Implicit Agent
Sometimes the agent (the perceiver) is clearly stated; other times, it’s implied or omitted, especially in passive constructions.
- Explicit: We heard the musicians play.
- Implicit: The musicians were heard playing. (Agent omitted)
6. Examples Section
6.1. Basic Examples: Plural of Perception with Common Verbs
- I saw the birds fly away.
- We heard the children laugh.
- She felt the raindrops hit her skin.
- He noticed the students leave the classroom.
- They watched the clouds move across the sky.
- I saw the cars speeding by.
- She heard the dogs barking loudly.
- We felt the walls shaking during the earthquake.
- He watched the players warming up.
- They noticed the guests arriving early.
- We saw the lights flicker.
- She heard the bells ringing at noon.
6.2. Intermediate Examples: Extended and Varied Contexts
- I heard the students in the choir singing a new song.
- She saw the children in bright uniforms marching down the street.
- We watched the contestants perform their routines on stage.
- He noticed the employees in the office leaving early on Friday.
- They felt the vibrations from the machines running in the factory.
- We saw the soccer teams practicing on adjacent fields.
- She heard the birds outside her window chirping at dawn.
- He noticed the waiters serving drinks to the guests.
- They watched the fireworks exploding in the night sky.
- We saw the shoppers carrying bags out of the mall.
- She heard the waves crashing against the rocks.
- He saw the kids playing hide-and-seek in the backyard.
- They noticed the actors rehearsing their lines backstage.
- We watched the leaves falling from the trees in autumn.
- She felt the cold winds blowing through the open windows.
6.3. Advanced Examples: Idiomatic and Literary Uses
- He saw the soldiers march, their boots echoing on the cobblestones.
- We heard the secrets whispered between friends across the table.
- She felt the hopes of the crowd rising as the band played on.
- They saw the shadows lengthen as dusk settled over the city.
- I heard the bells tolling, marking the end of another day.
- She noticed the petals drifting in the breeze like tiny boats on a lake.
- He watched the dreams of youth fade in the faces of the old men.
- We felt the tensions mounting as the debate continued.
- They saw the opportunities slipping away one by one.
- I heard the engines roaring, a symphony of motion and power.
- She noticed the smiles spreading across the children’s faces.
- He felt the memories flooding back with every familiar scent.
6.4. Examples by Verb
Here are categorized examples by common perception verbs:
Perception Verb | Examples |
---|---|
see |
|
hear |
|
feel |
|
notice |
|
watch |
|
6.5. Examples by Action Type
Grouping by action type helps clarify the difference between bare infinitive and present participle usage.
Type | Example |
---|---|
Immediate (bare infinitive) |
|
Ongoing (present participle) |
|
6.6. Negative and Question Examples
- I didn’t see the students enter the theater.
- She didn’t hear the bells ringing last night.
- Did you notice the children playing outside?
- Did they watch the cars racing by?
- We didn’t feel the raindrops hitting us.
- Did he hear the birds sing this morning?
- They didn’t see the workers leaving early.
6.7. Error Correction Examples
- Incorrect: I saw the students to leave the room.
Correct: I saw the students leave the room. - Incorrect: She heard the bells to ring.
Correct: She heard the bells ring. - Incorrect: We seen the birds flying.
Correct: We saw the birds flying. - Incorrect: He notice the workers to go.
Correct: He noticed the workers go. - Incorrect: They watched the children to play.
Correct: They watched the children play. - Incorrect: I saw the dogs barked.
Correct: I saw the dogs bark. - Incorrect: She hear the students singing.
Correct: She heard the students singing.
7. Usage Rules
7.1. Rule 1: Agreement Between Verb, Object, and Perception
Always ensure agreement: The perception verb must agree with the subject in tense and number; the object must be plural if you are describing a plural perception.
- I saw the children play. (Correct)
- She hears the bells ring. (Correct)
7.2. Rule 2: Choice of Bare Infinitive or Present Participle
Use a bare infinitive (leave, sing) for actions perceived in their entirety.
Use a present participle (leaving, singing) for actions ongoing or in progress at the moment of perception.
- I saw the men cross the street. (Whole action)
- I saw the men crossing the street. (Action in progress)
7.3. Rule 3: Placement of Modifiers and Adverbs
Adverbs and modifiers can appear before or after the perception verb, or between the object and the action:
- I saw the children quickly leave the room.
- She heard the bells softly ringing.
7.4. Rule 4: Passive Voice Constructions
Passive form: Plural object + was/were + past participle + (bare infinitive/present participle)
- The students were seen entering the school.
- The birds were heard singing.
7.5. Rule 5: Omitting the Agent
In passive sentences, you can omit the agent (the perceiver) if it’s unknown or irrelevant:
- The guests were seen leaving. (Agent omitted)
- The dogs were heard barking.
7.6. Exceptions and Special Cases
- Some perception verbs (like smell and taste) rarely take a bare infinitive.
- With certain verbs, only present participle is natural: We smelled the cookies baking.
- In negative sentences, infinitive may sound awkward: I didn’t hear the bells ring. (Correct), I didn’t hear the bells ringing. (Also correct, but slightly different nuance.)
Rule | Standard Example | Exception/Special Case |
---|---|---|
Agreement | I saw the cats run. | Subject-verb must agree in tense/number |
Bare infinitive | We heard the bells ring. | Rare after ‘smell’, ‘taste’ |
Present participle | She saw the birds flying. | Obligatory with ‘smell’, ‘taste’ |
Passive construction | The children were seen leaving. | Agent may be omitted |
8. Common Mistakes
8.1. Incorrect Verb Form After Plural Objects
- Incorrect: I saw the dogs to bark.
Correct: I saw the dogs bark. - Incorrect: She noticed the children to play.
Correct: She noticed the children play.
8.2. Misuse of Present Participle vs. Bare Infinitive
- Incorrect: I saw the runners running the race. (if you mean you saw the whole race)
Correct: I saw the runners run the race. - Incorrect: We heard the bells ringing at the end. (if you mean the bells rang once, not continuously)
Correct: We heard the bells ring at the end.
8.3. Agreement Errors with Plural Nouns
- Incorrect: I sees the students leave.
Correct: I see the students leave. - Incorrect: She hear the birds singing.
Correct: She hears the birds singing.
8.4. Confusion with Passive Voice
- Incorrect: The children was seen leaving.
Correct: The children were seen leaving. - Incorrect: The bells was heard ringing.
Correct: The bells were heard ringing.
8.5. Overuse or Underuse of Perception Verbs
- Incorrect (overuse): We saw the players play, and we saw the fans cheer, and we saw the coach shout.
Correct: We saw the players play, the fans cheer, and the coach shout. - Incorrect (underuse): The children playing in the park. (fragment)
Correct: I saw the children playing in the park.
8.6. Table 8: Common Errors vs. Correct Usage Table
Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
---|---|---|
I saw the birds to fly. | I saw the birds fly. | Do not use ‘to’ after perception verbs. |
She heard the bells to ring. | She heard the bells ring. | Use bare infinitive, not infinitive with ‘to’. |
We hears the children singing. | We hear the children singing. | Incorrect subject-verb agreement. |
The students was seen leaving. | The students were seen leaving. | Plural subject requires ‘were’ in passive. |
I saw the cars left. | I saw the cars leave. | Use bare infinitive, not simple past, after perception verbs. |
9. Practice Exercises
9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences
- I _______ the students (run) across the field.
- She _______ the leaves (fall) from the trees.
- They _______ the dogs (bark) at the stranger.
- We _______ the musicians (play) their instruments.
- He _______ the children (draw) pictures.
- Did you _______ the lights (flicker)?
- The workers were _______ (see) (leave) the factory.
- The birds were _______ (hear) (sing) at dawn.
- She _______ the fireworks (explode) in the sky.
- I _______ the waves (crash) against the rocks.
9.2. Error Correction
- We seen the players score goals.
- She heard the bells to ring loudly.
- He notice the children to play outside.
- The students was seen entering the hall.
- I saw the dogs barking at the mailman.
- They watched the cars to race by.
- We hears the birds singing every morning.
- The guests was noticed arriving early.
- She saw the kids plays in the garden.
- He saw the birds flying across the sky.
9.3. Multiple Choice: Choose the Correct Structure
- Which is correct?
a) I saw the children to leave.
b) I saw the children leave.
c) I saw the children leaves. - Which is correct?
a) We heard the bells ringing.
b) We heard the bells ring.
c) Both a) and b) - Which is correct?
a) She notice the workers leave.
b) She noticed the workers leave.
c) She noticed the workers leaves. - Which is correct?
a) The students was seen leaving.
b) The students were seen leaving.
c) The students were see leaving. - Which is correct?
a) He heard the birds to sing.
b) He heard the birds sing.
c) He heard the birds singing. - Which is correct for ongoing action?
a) I saw the children crossing the street.
b) I saw the children cross the street.
c) I saw the children crosses the street. - Which is correct?
a) We watches the cars pass.
b) We watched the cars pass.
c) We watched the cars passed. - Which is correct?
a) The bells were heard to ring.
b) The bells were heard ringing.
c) The bells was heard ringing. - Which is correct?
a) I saw the lights flicker.
b) I saw the lights flickers.
c) I saw the lights flickered. - Which is correct?
a) She felt the raindrops hitting her face.
b) She felt the raindrops to hit her face.
c) She felt the raindrops hits her face.
9.4. Sentence Construction
Write your own sentence using each verb and a plural object (use either bare infinitive or present participle as appropriate):
- see / students / cross the street
- hear / birds / sing
- notice / children / playing in the park
- watch / runners / finish the race
- feel / raindrops / hit your skin
9.5. Identification Exercises
Read each paragraph and identify all plural of perception constructions.
- As we walked through the market, we heard the vendors shouting their prices and saw the customers bargaining for goods.
- She noticed the leaves falling from the trees and felt the cool breeze brushing her face.
- They watched the children playing soccer in the field and heard the birds chirping in the trees.
- I saw the students entering the auditorium and heard the teachers giving instructions.
- He felt the raindrops hitting his arms and saw the clouds gathering above.
9.6. Practice Exercise Answer Key
- Fill-in-the-Blank Answers:
- 1. saw / running or run
- 2. saw / falling or fall
- 3. heard / barking or bark
- 4. heard / playing or play
- 5. saw / drawing or draw
- 6. see / flicker or flickering
- 7. seen / leaving
- 8. heard / singing
- 9. saw / exploding or explode
- 10. saw / crashing or crash
- Error Correction Answers:
- 1. We saw the players score goals.
- 2. She heard the bells ring loudly.
- 3. He noticed the children play outside.
- 4. The students were seen entering the hall.
- 5. (Correct if ongoing: “barking”; for whole action, use “bark”)
- 6. They watched the cars race by.
- 7. We hear the birds singing every morning.
- 8. The guests were noticed arriving early.
- 9. She saw the kids play in the garden.
- 10. (Correct if ongoing: “flying”; for whole action, use “fly”)
- Multiple Choice Answers:
- 1. b
- 2. c
- 3. b
- 4. b
- 5. b and c (both correct: “sing” and “singing”)
- 6. a
- 7. b
- 8. b
- 9. a
- 10. a
- Sentence Construction Sample Answers:
- I saw the students cross the street.
- I heard the birds singing.
- She noticed the children playing in the park.
- We watched the runners finish the race.
- I felt the raindrops hit my skin.
- Identification Exercise Answers:
- heard the vendors shouting, saw the customers bargaining
- noticed the leaves falling, felt the breeze brushing
- watched the children playing, heard the birds chirping
- saw the students entering, heard the teachers giving
- felt the raindrops hitting, saw the clouds gathering
10. Advanced Topics
10.1. Stylistic Variation in Literature
Writers often use the plural of perception for vivid description, pacing, or rhythm. For example, in narrative prose, a series of perception sentences can create an immersive scene:
- “She heard the horses galloping, saw the dust rising, and felt her heart pounding in her chest.”
10.2. Perception Constructions in Reported Speech
In reported (indirect) speech, the tense and structure may change:
- Direct: “I saw the boys run.”
- Reported: She said she had seen the boys run.
Reported speech often requires tense shifts and careful attention to the form of the infinitive or participle.
10.3. Plural of Perception in Complex Sentences
Perception constructions can be embedded in larger sentences, coordinated with other clauses, or subordinated:
- While I was leaving, I saw the workers packing up their tools and heard the trucks starting their engines.
- After we noticed the children playing, we called them to dinner.
10.4. Regional or Dialectal Variations
American and British English both use the plural of perception structures, but in some regional dialects, you may find more frequent omission of the participle or variation in verb choice. For example, some dialects may use “see” for “watch” or “notice” more broadly.
10.5. Historical Development and Change
Perception verb constructions have evolved over time. Earlier forms of English were more flexible with the infinitive (sometimes including “to”), but Modern English prefers the bare infinitive or present participle.
The prevalence of these constructions in literature has increased as narrative styles have become more focused on vivid, direct description.
11. FAQ Section
- What is the plural of perception in English grammar?
It is a grammatical construction using a perception verb (see, hear, feel, etc.), a plural object, and either a bare infinitive or present participle to describe what the subject senses about multiple people or things. - How is the plural of perception different from the singular?
The object of perception is plural (more than one person or thing), so verbs, pronouns, and any modifiers agree in number. Structure is otherwise similar. - Which verbs are most commonly used in perception constructions?
The most common are: see, hear, feel, notice, watch, observe, smell, taste. - When should I use a bare infinitive vs. a present participle after a perception verb?
Use the bare infinitive for entire, completed actions. Use the present participle for ongoing or in-progress actions at the moment of perception. - Can I use passive voice with plural of perception constructions?
Yes. Example: “The children were seen leaving the building.” - Are there exceptions to the rules for perception verbs and plural objects?
Yes. Some verbs (like smell, taste) rarely use the bare infinitive; the present participle is preferred. - Why do some sentences use “them leave” and others “them leaving”?
“Them leave” (bare infinitive) refers to the whole action; “them leaving” (present participle) focuses on the action in progress. - How do I avoid common mistakes when writing perception sentences?
Ensure correct verb form (bare infinitive or participle), agreement in number, and do not use “to” after the perception verb. - Is the plural of perception common in formal writing?
Yes, especially in descriptive, narrative, and academic writing where precise observation is described. - How is the plural of perception taught to ESL/EFL learners?
Through examples, drills, and contrastive practice between bare infinitive and participle forms, as well as error correction exercises. - Are there differences between American and British usage?
Differences are minor; both use the construction, but you may find slight variations in preferred verbs or idiomatic usage. - Can you give more examples for practice?
Certainly. Try these: “I saw the children swimming,” “We heard the students arguing,” “She noticed the guests arriving,” “They watched the clouds drifting,” “He felt the raindrops falling.”
12. Conclusion
The plural of perception is a powerful English construction that enables you to describe sensory experiences involving multiple people or things with precision and vividness. By understanding the difference between bare infinitive and present participle, mastering agreement rules, and recognizing common pitfalls, you can greatly improve your descriptive and narrative writing.
Use the tables, varied examples, and practice exercises in this article to hone your skills. Remember, regular practice and attention to context will help you internalize these patterns and use them naturally.
Whether you’re a student, teacher, or language enthusiast, mastering the plural of perception will make your English clearer, more accurate, and more expressive.