it will smell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it will smell" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when predicting or describing the scent of something in the future. Example: "If you leave the food out too long, it will smell bad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

When a good cheese has matured it will smell of clean, sweet creaminess.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will smell vaguely of a third dinner date and a movie, followed by a cigarette.

The New York Times - Magazine

If you heat the milk too much, it will smell like cheese.

The New York Times - Food

It will smell of glue or nail polish remover, and is the result of bad winemaking.

The New York Times - Food

You want the topping to burn a little bit (it will smell like toasting marshmallows) but not too much.

The New York Times - Food

If it dies ("de-natures" – you'll know because it will smell disgusting), bin it and start again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The next time your hamster needs to go, it'll smell its scent and learn to go in its potty.

WikiHow

"It'll smell forever!" she said.

The New Yorker

"If you smoke that stuff it'll smell weird but it won't get you high".

The Guardian

It'll smell much less strongly.

WikiHow

Plus, it'll smell bad as the grass decays.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it will smell" when describing a future or anticipated scent based on current conditions or known properties. For example, "If you add vanilla extract, it will smell sweeter."

Common error

Avoid using "it will smell" to describe a current, existing smell. Instead, use "it smells" to describe the present situation. For example, say "it smells like roses" instead of "it will smell like roses" if you are smelling roses right now.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will smell" functions as a predictive statement, indicating a future sensory experience related to olfaction. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is used to forecast the scent of something, based on certain conditions or expectations. It describes what the odor will be at a later time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

27%

News & Media

59%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it will smell" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to predict a future scent. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is validated by its presence in numerous diverse contexts, with a particularly strong presence in news and media. When writing, remember that "it will smell" should be used for future or anticipated smells, and "it smells" for current odors. Formal alternatives like "it will have an odor" can be used in more technical contexts. The phrase's neutral tone makes it adaptable to many situations, but choosing the right words improves clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's going to smell

Uses a different tense auxiliary but maintains the same meaning, emphasizing intention or prediction.

it will have an odor

Replaces "smell" with the more formal "have an odor".

it is going to reek

Substitutes "smell" with "reek" suggesting a strong, unpleasant odor.

it'll give off a scent

Rephrases the idea using "give off" and "scent" for a slightly different emphasis.

it's likely to stink

Replaces "smell" with "stink", indicating a very unpleasant odor and uses "likely to" to express probability.

a scent will emerge

Changes the sentence structure, focusing on the emergence of the scent.

an odor will be present

Uses a more formal tone and focuses on the presence of an odor.

an aroma will develop

Uses "aroma" to imply a pleasant smell and "develop" to indicate gradual appearance.

it will emit a fragrance

Uses "emit" to describe the release of a fragrance, suggesting a deliberate action.

you're going to notice a fragrance

Shifts the focus to the perceiver and uses "fragrance" to suggest a pleasant smell.

FAQs

How can I use "it will smell" in a sentence?

Use "it will smell" to describe a future scent based on a present action or condition. For instance, "If you bake the cookies too long, "it will smell" burnt."

What's a more formal alternative to "it will smell"?

A more formal alternative is "it will have an odor", which is suitable for scientific or technical contexts.

How does "it will smell" differ from "it smells"?

"It smells" describes a scent that is currently present, while ""it will smell"" predicts a future scent. For example, "The flower smells sweet" versus "The flower, once it blooms, "it will smell" sweet."

What can I say instead of "it will smell" to describe an unpleasant odor?

You could use phrases like "it will stink", "it will reek", or "it will have a foul odor".