Amusement parks are full of intense sights, sounds, and physical sensations. When describing what you see, hear, or feel, Spanish uses verbs of perception like ver (to see), escuchar (to hear), and sentir (to feel). You can follow these verbs with either an infinitive or a gerund, depending on whether the action you are witnessing is completed or ongoing.
Perception Verbs + Infinitive
When you perceive a completed action, or witness an event from beginning to end, follow the perception verb with an infinitive. This focuses on the action as a single, whole event.
| I heard the wagon hit the rail. | Escuché el vagón golpear el riel. |
| We see the giant pendulum cross the sky. | Vemos el péndulo gigante cruzar el cielo. |
| I felt my friend sigh in relief. | Sentí a mi amiga suspirar de alivio. |
Perception Verbs + Gerund
When you catch an action in progress, follow the perception verb with a gerund (the -ando or -iendo form). This emphasizes the continuous nature of what you are experiencing, observing it while it is actively happening.
| We saw the seller closing the ticket booth. | Vimos al vendedor cerrando la taquilla. |
| Do you hear the roller coaster creaking? | ¿Escuchas la montaña rusa crujiendo? |
| I see the pendulum falling towards us. | Veo el péndulo cayendo hacia nosotros. |
| I heard someone vomiting in the bathroom. | Escuché a alguien vomitando en el baño. |