detect the odor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detect the odor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is identifying or noticing a smell, often in scientific, culinary, or everyday situations. Example: "The dog was trained to detect the odor of drugs hidden in the luggage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The police said they could not detect the odor.

The New York Times

About 30percentt of adults cannot detect the odor (which some people say vaguely resembles sandalwood), although many will develop the ability if they are exposed to the chemical over time.

The New York Times - Science

Most important, smell disorders can be downright dangerous for those who cannot detect the odor of smoke, burning or spoiled food, natural gas or other noxious aromas.

The New York Times - Health

But investigators do not believe that alcohol played a role in the accident, and emergency personnel did not detect the odor of alcohol at the crash scene, a law enforcement official said.

The New York Times

The students out here vary in their ability to detect the odor of paste on grass stalks; some of them are as bad at this as I am, but others can accurately pick out a grass stalk marked by a hyena from among hundreds of unmarked stalks.

The New York Times

Multiple sensory neurons detect the odor benzaldehyde (BZ).

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

If the investigators rule out an accidental cause, they will search for arson clues using dogs trained to detect the odors of gasoline and other accelerants.

The New York Times

Both types of super-sniffer mice were able to detect the odors at much lower concentrations, preferentially seeking out the pure water.

Science Magazine

Finally, the bilateral dorsolateral frontal activity might have been related to the involvement of working memory modules [54], coordinating attention and short-term-memory in order to detect the odors.

Plosone

It was not known how many other towns may have detected the odor.

The New York Times

"It tells us, usually within about 20 seconds, if they've detected the odor," Mr. Rains said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific experiments or observations, use "detect the odor" to convey a precise and objective identification of a smell. For example, "The instruments were calibrated to detect the odor of methane."

Common error

Avoid using "detect the odor" in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "smell it" or "notice the smell".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detect the odor" functions as a verb phrase where "detect" acts as a transitive verb taking "the odor" as its direct object. It describes the action of identifying a smell using sensory perception, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "detect the odor" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the identification of a specific smell. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, lending it a formal tone. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives may be more suitable. Remember to use "detect the odor" when precision and objectivity are key, especially in technical or investigative reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smell the odor

Replaces "detect" with the more common verb "smell", implying a direct sensory experience of the odor.

sense the odor

Uses "sense" instead of "detect", suggesting a more subtle or intuitive perception of the odor.

perceive the odor

Employs "perceive", indicating a conscious awareness of the odor.

notice the odor

Substitutes "detect" with "notice", implying that the odor is easily observed or evident.

identify the odor

Focuses on recognizing or naming the specific odor present.

discern the odor

Uses "discern", suggesting a careful or refined ability to distinguish the odor from others.

pick up the scent

Replaces "odor" with "scent" and uses the phrasal verb "pick up", indicating the odor was received.

catch a whiff of the odor

Adds the element of brief or incidental exposure to the odor.

become aware of the odor

Highlights the process of becoming conscious of the odor's presence.

recognize the odor

Similar to "identify", but emphasizes familiarity with the odor.

FAQs

What does "detect the odor" mean?

The phrase "detect the odor" means to notice or identify a particular smell through the sense of smell. It implies an ability to recognize and distinguish the scent from other surrounding smells.

How can I use "detect the odor" in a sentence?

You can use "detect the odor" in sentences like: "The dog was trained to "detect the odor" of explosives." or "Scientists used specialized equipment to "detect the odor" emitted by the plant."

What are some synonyms for "detect the odor"?

Some synonyms for "detect the odor" include "smell the odor", "sense the odor", "perceive the odor", and "notice the odor". The best choice depends on the context.

Is "detect the odor" formal or informal?

"Detect the odor" tends to be more formal and is often used in scientific, technical, or official contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler alternatives like "smell it" or "notice the smell" might be more appropriate.