Experiencer Subjects

Experiencer subjects are always animate. The subject is usually human. The experiencer is connected to a sensory perception or psychological state. In other words, the experience occurs through the senses or cognition. The verbs that occur with experiencer subjects relate to consciousness.

The five senses allow for an agent subject and an experiencer subject. When the agent subject engages in a sensory activity, the agent actively employs the sense. The experiencer, however, is not an active participant in the sensory perception. The agent looks and listens on purpose, but the experiencer sees and hears involuntarily.

When Peter tastes vegetable soup, he does so by putting his spoon in the bowl and then to his lips. However, when he tastes mould on bread, his taste buds register a sensation. The taste of mould is unexpected.

The following sentences have agent subjects followed by experiencer subjects:

Jack looked at the report
Jack saw some blood.

Alex listened to her explanation.
Alex overheard an argument.

Marcia smelled the tulips.
Marcia smelled smoke.

Tony tasted the brandy.
Tony could taste vinegar in the sauce.

Norma felt the sweater.
Norma felt some pain.

Without context, the sentence Petra smelled the perfume is ambiguous. The subject can be an agent or an experiencer. Context is needed to clarify the precise meaning.

The five senses are sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. They are connected to sensory verbs such as see, smell, listen, feel and taste. The subjects used in connection with sensory verbs can be both agent subjects and experiencer subjects.