the verb 'see' in progressive form

Question

Hello. I understand that the verb 'see' is hardly used
in progressive form, but I've found these:
1. Can you see what I'm seeing?
2. I can't believe what I'm seeing!
3. I've been seeing the dark entity that haunts your house.
4. I was seeing something weird.
As far as I know, you usually use the kind of verbs with 'can', like,
1. I can see something coming,
2. I can hear the noise,
3. I can smell something burning...)
when you want to express progressive meaning, in which case other dynamic verbs are used in progressive form.
Is it some kind of emphasis or something?
Could you tell me what the difference is?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

These are all fine, and common.
1. Can you see what I'm seeing? (This emphasizes that I have focused and am keeping my eyes on it.)
2. I can't believe what I'm seeing!
3. I've been seeing the dark entity that haunts your house.
#4 sounds a bit odd to me.

Also:
Since I got new glasses, I've been seeing much more clearly. (my vision is better)
I will be seeing him next week. (meeting)

AnonymousAs far as I know, you usually use the kind of verbs with 'can', like, 1. I can see something coming, 2. I can hear the noise, 3. I can smell something burning...)

Yes. That is correct.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks, Alphecca! After done with your post,
I'm thinking what if I said number 3 like this,
' I've seen the dark entity that haunts your house.'
Would it just mean the fact that I saw a demonic thing in the past,
while the original sentence put some emphasis on the process of seeing something?
And thanks for reminding me of the stuff that you added to your post (vision, meeting).

One more thing, what's the difference
between use of 'can' and of 'ing form' with the kind of verbs?
Are they frequently used interchangably or just in a few circumstances?
Here is a line taken from Misfits, a British TV drama.
'Something really weird is happening!
I'm hearing these voices, It's like I can hear what people are thinking!'
In this line, the actor says 'hearing' and 'can hear' at the same time.
I wouldn't think both were meant for the same thing, like, progressive notion.
I'd like you to give me some more examples about 'see, hear'
with good contexts, if you wouldn't mind it.

Thanks for your replying to my silly questions.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

I've been seeing the dark entity that haunts your house. (eg. I am staying in your house. Every night this entity shows up, and I see it.)

I've seen the dark entity that haunts your house. (I did see it. Probably one time only.)

AnonymousOne more thing, what's the differencebetween use of 'can' and of 'ing form' with the kind of verbs?

can hear = have the ability to perceive it. Dogs can hear frequencies of sounds that humans can't.
I can hear it, but my sister can't. My hearing is more sensitive than hers.

can see = have the ability to see it. Some people have very good eyesight. They can see the seven bright stars of the Pleiades. Most people just see a fuzzy patch.

AnonymousThanks for your replying to my silly questions.

There is no such thing as a silly question.

Anonymous · Answer

So, if I understood your answers in a right way,
the first sentence (I've been seeing...) would imply repetition,
"I" have seen that ghost at least two times,
while the second one wouldn't.

And my take from your answer is,
since seeing or hearing are not volitional acts,
except if we were such miraculous magicians
that we could make things disappear all of a sudden,
it puts emphasis on the ability of speakers to see or hear
when the kind of verbs are used with 'can',
and it makes the process of seeing or hearing more visible
when the verbs are in progressive form, as in,
I think there's someone else in the room!
I'm hearing another voice clearly.

I'm happy you don't mind me asking such questions!
think you're tutoring me better than any other grammar books or dictionaries.
English is the most fascinating language I've ever been learning till now.
it's kind of late, though, I wish you a happy new year, AlpheccaStars.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Anonymous"I" have seen that ghost at least two times,while the second one wouldn't.

Yes.

I've been seeing that ghost you told me about. = repeated (possibly regular) encounters with the spirit.
I've seen that ghost you told me about. = a one-time encounter.

Anonymousit puts emphasis on the ability of speakers to see or hear when the kind of verbs are used with 'can',

Yes.
I can see that car in the distance. (We do not say: "I'm seeing that car in the distance.")
I can see very well. I don't need glasses. (We do not say: "I'm seeing very well." It only happens when talking about vision in general, not a specific instance of looking at something.

All of these are OK, but if all 3 are choices on a grammar test, pick the first one!

Since I got my new glasses, I can see well enough to pass the driver's test.
Since I got my new glasses, I see well enough to pass the driver's test.
Since I got my new glasses, I'm seeing well enough to pass the driver's test.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous1. Can you see what I'm seeing? 2. I can't believe what I'm seeing! 3. I've been seeing the dark entity that haunts your house. 4. I was seeing something weird.

These all fall, in a very general way, though perhaps only obliquely, into the category of verbs of sensation in the continuous tenses that might be called imaginary or hallucinatory sensations.

He is seeing things.
He is hearing voices.

AnonymousAs far as I know, you usually use the kind of verbs with 'can', like, 1. I can see something coming, 2. I can hear the noise, 3. I can smell something burning...)when you want to express progressive meaning

You don't have to be expressing progressive meaning. It's simply a common variant in English to use "can" with certain verbs.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hello, CJ. Thanks for your reply.

1. Did you want to tell me that verbs of sensation like 'see', 'hear'
in progressive form mean that seeing or hearing is something not for real?
Then I think it would be possible to say,
'I'm seeing stars',
'I'm seeing the Lord.'
'I'm hearing the whisper of evil.'
when someone is on drugs, stone drunk, mental and the like.

2. Each pair of the following is completely the same?
1.a. I can see something coming.
1.b. I see something coming.

2.a. I can hear a baby crying.
2.b. I hear a baby crying.

I thought there might be a little difference.
If any, could you tell me some contexts for it?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Anonymous'I'm seeing stars',

It happens after you get hit in the head. (A common expression.)

Anonymous2. Each pair of the following is completely the same? 1.a. I can see something coming. 1.b. I see something coming.

Well, not completely. "Can" implies that others might not be able to see it in the distance. It is also foreboding of some consequence:

I just felt the earthquake and can see the tidal wave coming. (The tidal wave might be in the imagination of the speaker who is far from the coast.)
I just felt the earthquake and see the tidal wave coming. (The speaker is near the coast, looking out to sea. You had better run for higher ground!)

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous1. Did you want to tell me that verbs of sensation like 'see', 'hear' in progressive form mean that seeing or hearing is something not for real?

Canmean that the seeing or hearing is not real. Yes.

AnonymousThen I think it would be possible to say, 'I'm seeing stars', 'I'm seeing the Lord.' 'I'm hearing the whisper of evil.'when someone is on drugs, stone drunk, mental and the like.

Right. Those examples are not particularly far-fetched.

Anonymous2. Each pair of the following is completely the same?

Just about. Yes. I suppose there are cases where there might be subtle differences, dependent on the exact topic of discussion, but in general we add "can" without really intending to add any significant meaning to those kinds of expressions.

CJ

the verb 'see' in progressive form

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