The English word "perceive" is a versatile verb that means to become aware of, understand, or interpret something, often through the senses or through a mental process. It can imply a subtle or deeper level of understanding than simply "seeing" or "hearing."
Here are the main ways to use "perceive" in sentences, with examples:
1. To become aware of something through the senses (see, hear, feel, smell, taste):
This usage is often about noticing something, sometimes subtle or faint.
Example: "She perceived a faint scent of jasmine in the air." (Notice through smell)
Example: "From the top of the hill, they could perceive the sprawling city below." (Notice through sight)
Example: "He perceived a slight tremor in the ground before the earthquake hit." (Notice through feeling)
Example: "The trained ear can perceive subtle differences in pitch." (Notice through hearing)
2. To understand or interpret something in a particular way (to form an opinion or belief):
This is a very common use of "perceive," focusing on how something is understood or viewed, often by an individual or a group. It implies a subjective interpretation.
Example: "Many people perceive the new policy as unfair." (They understand or interpret it as unfair)
Example: "How do you perceive your role within the company?" (How do you understand or interpret your responsibilities?)
Example: "He perceives himself as a visionary leader." (He believes he is a visionary leader)
Example: "The public perceived the politician's actions as a sign of weakness." (The public interpreted or viewed the actions this way)
3. In the passive voice (often with "as" or "to be"):
"Perceive" is very frequently used in the passive voice, especially when talking about general opinions or how something is widely seen.
Example: "The new technology was perceived as a threat to traditional jobs." (People generally saw it as a threat)
Example: "She is perceived to be an excellent communicator." (People generally believe her to be an excellent communicator)
Example: "The decision was widely perceived as a mistake." (Many people thought it was a mistake)
Example: "His silence was perceived as an admission of guilt." (People interpreted his silence that way)
Common Collocations and Phrases:
Perceive as: "They perceive him as a strong leader."
Perceive to be: "It was perceived to be a risky investment."
Widely perceived: "It is widely perceived that..."
Commonly perceived: "A commonly perceived misconception is that..."
Perceive a threat/danger/change: "Do you perceive any danger in this situation?"
Perceive oneself as: "He perceives himself as a victim."
Key Nuances:
Subjectivity: "Perceive" often highlights the subjective nature of understanding. What one person perceives, another might not, or they might perceive it differently.
Deeper understanding: It often goes beyond a superficial observation, implying some level of interpretation or insight.
Formal vs. Informal: "Perceive" is a more formal word than "see" or "think." While you could say "I saw a problem," saying "I perceived a problem" suggests a more thoughtful or analytical observation.
By understanding these uses, you can effectively incorporate "perceive" into your English vocabulary.
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