Question on one quiz answer unrelated to lesson topic

MichaelC1Kwiziq community member

Question on one quiz answer unrelated to lesson topic

In the quiz answer 'Cuando bebe leche, siente como si fuera a vomitar', why is 'siente' not 'se siente' used?










Asked 4 years ago
InmaKwiziq team member

Hola Michael,

this is a very interesting question... 

The verb sentir can be used as a verb expression an "emotion" or a verb expression a "perception". For an emotion we use it as a pronominal verb with the reflexive pronoun "me siento fatal, se siente como una idiota, me siento como si fuera a vomitar". This is expressing "how" one feels. 

However, using this sentence without the reflexive pronoun will express how one perceives something, it is as if you were saying "I am perceiving/realising that I might vomit". 

In our sentence, we used it as a perceptive verb.

I can't see where you found this sentence in the system as it is not related to this lesson, but if you tell me I could have a closer look. 

I hope this clarified it.

Gracias y un saludo

Inma

MichaelC1Kwiziq community member

I just quizzed the referenced lesson: "Using the imperfect subjunctive after the conjunction como si (subordinate manner clauses)", and it definitely is one of its 12 quiz sentences.

Your answer is a great addition to information in your A2 Lesson 'Sentir vs Sentirse (to feel)'.

Why I asked the question is because the sentence didn't seem to fit the pattern for using 'Sentir' from the A2 lesson, (ie) 'what' one feels, followed by a noun or que, neither for 'Sentirse', 'how' one feels, followed by an adjective, adverb, or como.  I thought for a quick second that since 'Sentir' is followed by 'como si', 'Sentirse' should be used.  But your concept of 'perception' vs 'emotion' explains the difference.

Question on one quiz answer unrelated to lesson topic

In the quiz answer 'Cuando bebe leche, siente como si fuera a vomitar', why is 'siente' not 'se siente' used?










Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Let me take a look at that...