ability to smell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to smell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's or something's capacity to detect odors or scents. Example: "Dogs have an incredible ability to smell, which makes them excellent at tracking scents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I have zero ability to smell money.

The New York Times

Happiness had played a role in my ability to smell.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the years since, Dr. DeVere has recovered much of his ability to smell and taste.

The New York Times - Health

She's the one who's developed the ability to smell every bin within a six-mile radius.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Neither Karen nor her sister can sweat very much, and neither has the ability to smell.

The New York Times - Magazine

Temperature and humidity can affect a dog's ability to smell, as well.

The New York Times - Science

Tests there showed that as a result of his illness, he'd lost 70 percent of his ability to smell.

The New York Times - Health

But smell and taste disorders can affect more than the ability to "smell the roses" in life and toenjoy food.

The New York Times - Health

When nerves in the nose die, after three months or so, new ones spring forth, allowing people to maintain the ability to smell.

The New Yorker

He said Moore, like most officers, was one of the good ones, known for his ability "to smell a gun" and get it off the street.

The Guardian

"You lose ability to smell it because your nose stops responding to it, and recovery can take three to four weeks".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical condition affecting the sense of smell, be specific about whether it's a complete loss (anosmia) or a reduced ability (hyposmia).

Common error

Avoid attributing taste sensations solely to the "ability to smell". While smell greatly influences flavor perception, taste buds primarily detect basic tastes like sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to smell" functions as a noun phrase describing the capacity to perceive odors. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct. Examples show its usage in describing human and animal olfactory capabilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

52%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to smell" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the capacity to perceive odors. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate in various contexts, from describing human sensory experiences to discussing scientific research. While alternatives such as "sense of smell" and "olfactory perception" offer similar meanings, it's crucial to differentiate between a diminished sense of smell (hyposmia) and a complete loss (anosmia) when discussing medical conditions. The prevalence of the phrase across news, scientific publications, and general media underscores its versatility and widespread understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of smell

Uses "sense" instead of "ability", focusing on the sensory experience.

olfactory perception

Replaces common words with more technical, scientific terminology.

capacity to detect odors

Emphasizes the detection aspect of smelling, making it more specific.

power of olfaction

Uses a more figurative term, "power", to describe the sense of smell.

olfactory sensitivity

Highlights the degree to which one can detect smells.

nasal acuity

Focuses on the sharpness and precision of the sense of smell.

aroma detection skills

Emphasizes a learned or developed ability to identify aromas.

scent recognition

Concentrates on the cognitive aspect of identifying familiar scents.

olfactory discrimination

Refers to the capability to distinguish between different smells.

capability to perceive fragrances

Highlights the ability to experience pleasant smells, using "fragrances".

FAQs

How is the "ability to smell" related to taste?

The "ability to smell" significantly influences taste. Many flavors we perceive are actually odors detected by our olfactory system. Without a sense of smell, our sense of taste is greatly diminished.

What factors can affect the "ability to smell"?

Various factors can affect the "ability to smell", including nasal congestion, sinus infections, head trauma, neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, certain medications, and aging. Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins can also impair olfactory function.

What can I say instead of "ability to smell"?

You can use alternatives like "sense of smell", "olfactory perception", or "capacity to detect odors" depending on the context.

What is the medical term for the loss of the "ability to smell"?

The medical term for the complete loss of the "ability to smell" is anosmia. Hyposmia refers to a reduced ability to smell. Parosmia is a distortion of smell, while phantosmia is the sensation of smelling odors that aren't actually present.