bears smell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bears smell" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that bears have a particular smell, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "In the forest, one can often detect that bears smell of the wild berries they consume."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The reason the bears are here -- the original reason anyway -- is that the drivers and passengers can see them too, munching on their snacks and sniffing the brisk New Hampshire air for whatever it is that bears smell in the brisk New Hampshire air.

Huffington Post

Bears smell.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The bear smelled of dust, dust and old age, infirmity, decades, millennia.

The New Yorker

When the seal exhales, the bear smells its breath, reaches into the hole with a forepaw, and drags it out onto the ice.

Wikipedia

Ask if there are any spices that they cannot bear smelling.

WikiHow

It is best too keep your food in the car, because raccoons can get into almost anything and bears can smell through a good bit (but plastic coolers are good to keep away bears).

WikiHow

Then you can rise and go faster — 'The bears can smell the menstruation' — which is funnier.

The New Yorker

Then you can rise and go faster—'The bears can smell the menstruation' which is funnier.

The New Yorker

Following Greg's bloody footprints, I wondered at what distance bears can smell blood," Bullock wrote.

The Guardian

The future is in your hands! ( You know how bears can smell fear in the wild? The seniors can smell fear in the freshmen. Get to know your teachers.

WikiHow

In the wild, a bear can smell a human from fourteen kilometres away".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To clearly describe a bear's scent, specify what the bear has been eating or where it has been. For example, "bears that have been eating spawned-out salmon tend to taste and smell like spawned-out salmon" provides a clearer picture.

Common error

Don't simply state "bears smell" without providing additional context or details about the scent. A vague statement lacks informative value and doesn't help the reader understand the specific olfactory qualities associated with bears.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bears smell" functions as a general statement intending to convey that bears possess a certain odor. However, as Ludwig AI explains, it lacks clarity and grammatical precision. It is better to specify the smell rather than using this expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "bears smell" might seem straightforward, it's grammatically questionable and lacks precision. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is more effective to use phrases like "bears have a scent" or provide descriptive details about their smell based on their diet or environment. Usage analysis reveals its presence across diverse sources, especially in news and media, though precise alternatives enhance communication. To clearly describe a bear's scent, specify what the bear has been eating or where it has been.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bears have a scent

Replaces the verb "smell" with the noun "scent" for greater grammatical correctness.

bears emit an odor

Uses "emit" and "odor" to provide a more formal and precise description of the smell.

the scent of bears

Focuses on the scent itself, rather than the action of smelling.

bears can be scented

Shifts the focus to the possibility of detecting a bear's presence through scent.

bears give off a smell

Employs "give off" to describe the release of an odor by bears.

bears' olfactory signature

Uses a technical term to describe the unique smell associated with bears.

bears' characteristic odor

Highlights the typical or recognizable smell of bears.

bears' detectable scent

Emphasizes the ability to perceive the scent of bears.

bears exude a fragrance

Uses "exude" and "fragrance", even if less literal, to explore alternative descriptions.

the aroma of bears

Presents a more evocative description of the bear's scent.

FAQs

How can I describe a bear's scent more accurately?

Instead of saying "bears smell", provide specifics such as "bears have a musky scent" or "bears emit an odor depending on their diet".

What's a more grammatically correct way to talk about bear scent?

Use phrases like "the scent of bears" or "bears have a scent" instead of "bears smell".

In what contexts might the phrase "bears smell" be acceptable?

The phrase is acceptable in informal conversation. However, use more precise language in formal writing, such as "bears' olfactory signature" or "bears' characteristic odor".

Is there a difference between saying "bears smell" and "bears can smell"?

"Bears smell" is a general, and grammatically questionable, statement about the odor of bears, whereas "bears can smell" refers to their ability to detect scents. The latter is about their sensory capability.