it smells funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "it smells funny" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express that something has a peculiar or unusual odor. Example: "I opened the fridge and immediately shut it again. It smells funny in there. I think we need to clean it out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It smells funny.

The New Yorker

"It smells funny to me".

The Guardian

Perhaps it is enough to say that all counterfactuals set more than a century ago have no bearing on people who exist now.Maybe this is right, but it smells funny.

The Economist

It smells funny," Briere says.

Science Magazine

If it smells funny, and it looks funny, try to avoid stepping in it".

Science Magazine

But it smells funny.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It smelled funny; it wasn't a cigarette.

The New York Times

Right after the switch, residents complained that the water was brown and it smelled funny.

The Washington Post

Actually it may have been a slug, or an invertebrate from another planet, but it was plastic, it smelled funny, and I fished it with a Texas rig.

The New York Times - Sports

It smelled funny – like our ICI-dominated conurbation back home – and it surprised me that a city so full of telegenic hats and pristine flags could also smell of wet coal.

The Guardian - Sport

Does it smell funny?

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing smells, be specific. Instead of just saying "it smells funny", try to identify the specific notes or qualities of the odor.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "it smells funny" as it lacks descriptive power. Provide more context by specifying what the smell resembles or what it evokes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it smells funny" functions primarily as a descriptive statement. It expresses a subjective observation about an odor, indicating that the smell is unusual, peculiar, or potentially concerning. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

23%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it smells funny" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an unusual or peculiar odor. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While its register is generally informal, the phrase appears in various contexts, including news and media. However, it's crucial to be specific when describing smells, as relying solely on "it smells funny" lacks descriptive power. Consider using alternative phrases like "it smells strange" or "it smells peculiar" for more nuance. The phrase functions primarily as a descriptive statement, alerting others to a potentially problematic or unusual odor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has a funny smell

Replaces the verb 'smells' with 'has a smell', emphasizing the existence of the odor.

it smells peculiar

Substitutes 'funny' with 'peculiar', indicating a strange or unusual scent.

it smells off

Uses 'off' to suggest that the smell is not right or normal.

it has an odd odor

Replaces 'funny smell' with 'odd odor', using a more formal term for smell.

it smells strange

Replaces 'funny' with 'strange', implying an unfamiliar or unusual smell.

it smells fishy

Uses 'fishy' as an idiom to suggest something is suspicious or questionable, not necessarily related to fish.

it smells questionable

Substitutes 'funny' with 'questionable', highlighting the uncertainty or doubt about the smell.

the odor is unusual

Changes the structure to focus on the odor itself being unusual, rather than the act of smelling.

there's a weird smell

Shifts the focus to the existence of a 'weird smell' rather than the act of smelling.

it stinks in a weird way

Uses stronger language ('stinks') and specifies 'in a weird way' to emphasize the oddity of the smell.

FAQs

What does "it smells funny" mean?

The phrase "it smells funny" generally indicates that something has an unusual, peculiar, or unpleasant odor. It often suggests that something is amiss or not quite right.

What are some alternative ways to say "it smells funny"?

You can use alternatives like "it smells strange", "it smells peculiar", or "it smells off" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "it smells funny" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it smells funny" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-adjective structure in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it smells funny"?

The phrase "it smells funny" is appropriate in informal contexts when describing an odor that is unusual or causes concern. Avoid using it in formal or scientific writing, where more precise and descriptive language is preferred.