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Perception_active [mental_activity]

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This frame contains perception words whose perceivers intentionally direct their attention to some entity or phenomenon in order to have a perceptual experience. For this reason we call the perceiver role in this frame Perceiver_agentive.

She|per gazed upon him fondly.

Comparing the Perception_active frame to the Perception_experience frame, we note that for some modalities there are different lexical items in each frame. For instance, whereas Perception_active contains the verb phrase look at, Perception_experience contains see. For other sense modalities, we find the same lexical item in both frames. To illustrate, consider the verb smell.

This first sentence exemplifies the Perception_active use of the verb smell:Smell this to see if it's fresh.CNI
This second sentence exemplifies its Perception_experience sense:
I smell something rotten.

Properties

ID
#66
Entry
frm_perception_active
Namespace
Experiential.Mental_activity
FrameNet version
Perception_active (fn_1.7_2023)
Domains
โ€”
Types
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Ontological type
โ€”
English name
Perception_active

Core Frame Elements (2)

Core Frame Elements
Frame element Definition Semantic type Constraint
Perceiver_agentive
The Perceiver_agentive performs some action in order to have a perceptual experience. It is expressed as an External Argument:
The waiter smelled the milk to see if it was fresh.
category
sentient
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Phenomenon
Phenomenon indicates the entity or phenomenon to which the Perceiver_agentive directs his or her attention in order to have a perceptual experience. Typically, it is expressed as an Object with verbs.
The waiter smelled the milk to see if it was fresh.
The policeman watched him run out the door
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Core Unexpressed Frame Elements (2)

Core Unexpressed Frame Elements
Frame element Definition Semantic type Constraint
Body_part
Body_part identifies the part of the body used as a sensory organ of the Perceiver_agentive, typically expressed in a with-PP.
You should feel the water with your toes before jumping in.
This frame element occurs infrequently in this frame, because most of the target words intrinsically imply what part of the body is used (e.g. smelling must be done with the nose). However, the verb feel does take this frame element, because touch is not localized on the body the same way as other modalities . Body_part may be expressed in other modalities when it adds specificity to what is implied by the target word in question.

I was now able to breathe properly and started to feel over my body with both hands|BodP.
I looked at the wreckage with my good eye.
category
body_part
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Direction
Direction is used for all path-like expressions that describe how the perceiver's attention is directed during the act of perception, with the exception of those indicating the location of the Perceiver_agentive (which would be marked Location_of_perceiver)

The detective looked across the street at the suspect.
The detective listened through the wall to their conversation.
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FE Core Set(s) and Excludes

CoreSet
Body_part Perceiver_agentive
CoreSet
Direction Phenomenon

Peripheral Frame Elements (9)

Peripheral Frame Elements
Frame element Definition Semantic type Constraint
Duration
This FE identifies the Duration of time for which the Perception takes place.

I WATCH them for quite a while|Dur .
category
duration
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Ground
Ground is the perceptual background against which the Phenomenon is experienced by the Perceiver_agentive.

Kim looked at the cloud against the blue sky.
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Manner
Manner expressions may be of lexicographic interest if they describe properties of active perception as such: closely, carefully, etc.
Dan looked at the inscription carefully|Manr.
category
manner
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Means
The Means indicates the tool or method the Perceiver_agentive is using to actively perceive the Phenomenon. May be confused with Direction in cases with through-PP, but is referring more to the instrument used than the path used.

Joann peeked at John through the binoculars|Mns
You can observe distant galaxies with a good telescope|Mns.
He observed babies using ultrasound|Mns and discovered that each showed a preference for one or the other thumb.
category
state_of_affairs
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Obscuring_medium
The Obscuring_medium is the medium through which the Phenomenon makes itself perceivable to the Perceiver_agentive. This is similar to the Direction, but occurs in the opposite direction and implies a movement of the Phenomenon.

I eavesdropped on them through the wall.
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Place
The general location within which the act of perception takes place.
category
locative_relation
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Purpose
Some action that the Perceiver_agentive is trying to accomplish by directing their own attention.

She listened to the music to find out if it was actually written by Satan|Purp.
category
state_of_affairs
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State
State is the location, activity, or other characteristic of the Phenomenon.

I tasted the soup in the fridge.

I stared at the man running out the door.
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Time
When the activity of attempting to perceive occurs.
category
time
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Extra-thematic Frame Elements (3)

Extra-thematic Frame Elements
Frame element Definition Semantic type Constraint
Depictive
State is used for predicate expressions that apply to the Phenomenon, providing some information about the state it is in while the perceiver's attention is directed to it: The detective watched the suspect fleeing.
Pat tasted the cookie dough raw.
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Expected_entity
An entity or state-of-affairs that the Perceiver_agentive hopes, fears, or expects to find within the Phenomenon.

Watch for little errors with hand position|exp.
While Bertha was n't looking, he carefully smelt the soup for any trace of the poison|exp.
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Location_of_protagonist
This FE is the position of the Perceiver during the act of perception. Typically, it is expressed in a from-PP.
We watched the parade from the roof.
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Frame-Frame Relations (6)

Inheritance

Inheritance relations
Inherits from
Perception
FE-FE
Inherits from
Intentionally_act
FE-FE
Is Inherited By
Touring
FE-FE

See_also

See_also relations

Using

Using relations
Is used by
Scrutiny
FE-FE
Uses
Attention
FE-FE

Lexical Units (34)

Lexical units of this frame
LU Type Definition
admire.v โ€” COD: look at with pleasure
attend.v โ€” FN: perceive, note
eavesdrop.v โ€” COD: secretly listen to a conversation
eye.v โ€” COD: to look at closely or with interest.
feel.v โ€” COD: perceive, examine, or search by touch.
gape.v โ€” COD: stare with one's mouth open wide in amazement or wonder.
gawk.v โ€” COD: stare openly and stupidly.
gaze.n โ€” COD: a steady intent look
gaze.v โ€” COD: look steadily and intently
glance.n โ€” COD: a brief or hurried look
glance.v โ€” COD: take a brief or hurried look.
goggle.v โ€” COD: look with wide open eyes, typically in amazement or wonder.
listen.v โ€” COD: give one's attention to a sound; make an effort to hear something
look.n โ€” COD: the act of directing one's gaze in a specified direction
look.v โ€” COD: direct one's gaze in a specified direction
observation.n โ€” COD: the action or process of closely observing or monitoring
observe.v โ€” COD: notice; perceive; watch intently
palpate.v โ€” COD: examine (a part of the body) by touch, especially for medical purposes.
peek.n โ€” COD: a quick or furtive look
peek.v โ€” COD: look quickly or furtively.
peep.v โ€” COD: look quickly and furtively
peer.v โ€” COD: look with difficulty or concentration.
savour.v โ€” COD: appreciate and enjoy the taste of (good food or drink)
smell.v โ€” COD: sniff at (something) in order to ascertain its odour
sniff.n โ€” FN: the action of drawing air audibly through the nose, especially for smelling
sniff.v โ€” FN: smell or inhale (something) deliberately
spy.v โ€” COD: observe furtively
squint.v โ€” COD: look at someone or something with partly closed eyes
stare.n โ€” COD: a fixed look at someone or something with the eyes wide open
stare.v โ€” COD: look fixedly at someone or something with the eyes wide open
taste.n โ€” COD: the sensation of flavour perceived in the mouth on contact with a substance
taste.v โ€” COD: sample or test the flavour of
view.v โ€” COD: look at or inspect
watch.v โ€” COD: look at attentively
Frame Chain TQR Visual Units

None.

None.

No visual units

This frame has no visual-unit images.