different odors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "different odors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing various types of smells or scents, often in contexts related to food, perfumes, or environmental descriptions. Example: "The bakery was filled with different odors, from freshly baked bread to sweet pastries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Using just a few hundred types of biochemical receptors, each of which respond to just a few odorants, the human nose can distinguish thousands of different odors.

Science Magazine

This may be due to differing degrees of difficulty for creating a mental image for different odors and may call for basic training in how to form a mental image of elusive scents. .

Science Magazine

Ten thousand different odors?

The New York Times

The biological olfactory system can distinguish thousands of different odors.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

"Five different odors say, 'Sue, Sue, Sue, Sue, Sue,' " she said.

The New York Times

Last spring, an article in the journal Science reported that we are capable of discriminating more than a trillion different odors.

The New Yorker

The two scientists had figured out how it is that people can smell 10,000 different odors and then recall them.

The New York Times

Those chemicals exude different odors that allow ants to identify each other as colony mates or as enemies that should be attacked.

University of California, Berkeley

We are capable of recognizing hundreds of thousands of different odors, and I want to understand the complex interaction between genes and experience that make this recognition possible.

Columbia University

Two American scientists who discovered how people can smell and recall about 10,000 different odors were awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in the category of physiology or medicine today.

The New York Times - Science

In Experiment 1, three groups of control rats were trained to criterion without delay then, tested with delays on a continuous delayed nonmatching-to-sample (cDNMS) task using one of three kinds of odor pairs: replicates of the same odor (S), different odors that were each common with another pair (O), different odors with no overlap between pairs (NO).

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environments, use "different odors" to create a vivid sensory experience for the reader. Be specific and descriptive about the nature of each odor.

Common error

Avoid using overly general adjectives like "nice" or "bad" when describing "different odors". Instead, use more specific terms like "earthy", "floral", or "pungent" to create a more precise and evocative image.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different odors" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It specifies the quality or characteristic of the odors being discussed, indicating that they are not all the same. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

26%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "different odors" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a variety of smells. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for use in written English. Usage analysis reveals that this phrase is particularly prevalent in scientific, news, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "different odors", aim to be specific in your descriptions to create a more vivid sensory experience. Related phrases such as "various scents" or "diverse smells" can provide subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

various scents

Replaces "odors" with a more delicate term, "scents", implying a pleasant smell.

diverse smells

Substitutes "different" with "diverse", emphasizing the variety and range of smells.

distinct aromas

Uses "aromas" to suggest pleasant and recognizable smells, often associated with food or perfumes.

varied fragrances

Replaces "odors" with "fragrances", implying a collection of sweet or pleasant smells.

assorted scents

Emphasizes the assortment and variety of smells, highlighting their differences.

unique smells

Focuses on the uniqueness and individuality of each smell, rather than just their difference.

individual scents

Highlights the individuality of each scent, emphasizing that each one is distinct.

a range of smells

Shifts the focus to the spectrum or collection of smells that are available.

a variety of aromas

Highlights the variety and pleasantness of the aromas present.

multiple fragrances

Focuses on the multiplicity and sweet or pleasant nature of the fragrances.

FAQs

How can I use "different odors" in a sentence?

You can use "different odors" to describe a variety of smells present in a specific environment. For example: "The market was filled with "different odors", from spices to fresh produce."

What are some alternatives to saying "different odors"?

Alternatives include "various scents", "diverse smells", or "distinct aromas", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "differing odors" instead of "different odors"?

While "differing odors" is grammatically correct, "different odors" is more common and widely accepted. "Differing" may imply a more significant or fundamental distinction.

What's the difference between "fragrance" and "odor"?

"Fragrance" typically refers to a pleasant or sweet smell, while "odor" is a more neutral term that can refer to any smell, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Therefore, "different fragrances" implies a variety of pleasant smells, whereas ""different odors"" simply indicates a variety of smells.