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taste

Linking verb​

Taste can be used as a linking verb (see here), followed by an adjective or noun, to say how something tastes. Progressive forms are not used.

  • This tastes nice. What’s in it? (not … tastes nicely.)
  • The wine tastes funny. (not … is tasting funny …)

Before a noun, taste of and taste like are used.

  • The fish soup tasted mostly of garlic.
  • Her lips tasted like wild strawberries.

Transitive verb: ‘perceive’​

Taste can be used with an object, to say what we perceive with our sense of taste. Progressive forms are not used. We often use can taste (see here).

  • I can taste onion and mint in the sauce. (not I am tasting …)

Transitive verb: ‘investigate’​

Another transitive use is to say that we are using our sense of taste to find out something. Progressive forms can be used.

  • ‘Stop eating the cake.’ ‘I’m just tasting it to see if it’s OK.’