it smelled bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it smelled bad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are trying to describe a bad smell. For example: "I opened the fridge and it smelled bad, so I knew something had gone off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It smelled bad.

The New York Times - Books

It means it smelled bad, doesn't it?

Yale University

It smelled bad and looked worse.

The New York Times

"At first, it smelled bad, like garbage," she said.

The New Yorker

Apparently, New Yorkers knew something was wrong because it smelled bad when they got out of their taxis.

The New York Times

I have not had trouble just rinsing and storing the membranes in the very pure water but I've heard of some who did not rinse enough or get clean enough water for the storage and it smelled bad after storing.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"It smells bad".

Independent

"Does it smell bad?" she asked.

The New Yorker

"It smells bad," said Adam, aged six.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a really creepy place, and it smells bad.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is splattered with the stuff and it smells bad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it smelled bad" to describe a general unpleasant odor. For more specific smells, consider using descriptive adjectives such as "rancid", "putrid", or "musty".

Common error

Avoid using "smelled badly". The correct phrasing is "smelled bad" because "bad" acts as an adjective describing the smell, not an adverb modifying the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it smelled bad" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something emitted an unpleasant odor. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. Examples show its use across various contexts to convey a negative sensory experience.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it smelled bad" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe an unpleasant odor. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase itself is fairly simple, it can be enhanced with more descriptive adjectives to provide a more vivid picture of the scent. It's most commonly found in news and media, and while suitable for many contexts, more specific or descriptive language might be preferred in formal or technical writing. Remembering to use "smelled bad" instead of the incorrect "smelled badly" is crucial. Various alternatives, such as ""it had a bad odor"" or ""it reeked"", can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it smelled foul

Uses a different adjective to describe the bad smell.

it had a bad odor

Replaces the verb "smelled" with a noun phrase emphasizing the presence of a bad odor.

it had an offensive smell

Similar to 'it had a bad odor', but emphasizes the unpleasantness of the smell.

it gave off a foul scent

Uses more descriptive language to convey the unpleasant smell.

the odor was repulsive

Focuses on the repulsive quality of the smell.

it reeked

A more intense and direct way of saying something smelled bad.

a bad smell emanated from it

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the source of the smell.

the stench was unbearable

Highlights the intensity and unpleasantness of the smell.

it was malodorous

A more formal and technical way to describe a bad smell.

it stank

An informal and blunt way of saying something smelled bad.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it smelled bad"?

You can use alternatives like "it had a bad odor", "it reeked", or "it smelled foul" depending on the context.

Is "it smelled badly" grammatically correct?

No, "it smelled badly" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "it smelled bad", where "bad" functions as an adjective describing the smell.

What does it mean when something smells bad?

When something smells bad, it indicates an unpleasant odor, often associated with decay, spoilage, or unsanitary conditions. The intensity and specific characteristics of the bad smell can provide clues about its source.

What are some descriptive words to use instead of "bad" when describing a smell?

Instead of "bad", you can use more descriptive adjectives such as "putrid", "rancid", "musty", "foul", or "offensive" to provide a more vivid description of the smell.