smelling

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "smelling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act or process of perceiving a odor or the intensity of a smell. Example sentence: The flowers in the garden were smelling delightful in the summer breeze.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Before I was ill, I was chasing my tail, not smelling the roses, all the cliches.

The Guardian - Film

He recalled smelling urine and seeing bloodstains in the room.

The Guardian

I finished off the day with one of the best facials I've ever had, and was floating back to my room, smelling like a rose garden hosed down with baby oil, when I was horrified to see a group of very stressed (though very cool) looking people all hunched miserably over their BlackBerrys like an Apple production line.

The Guardian - Travel

Alternatively, we'd be so delighted by all the freedom and spontaneity and not constantly smelling of vaguely rancid yoghurt that we'd immediately leg it to the airport and start a brand new child-free life wherever the first flight took us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That is to say, it is grey, dull and broken down, the corridors smelling vaguely of cabbage.

The Guardian - Books

Teaching a rat to scratch the ground upon smelling explosives costs around €6,000 $$8,200), which is only a third of what it costs to train a dog, according to APOPO, a Belgian NGO that runs such a programme.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The overall argument in Gatherings was that concentrated graveyard gases caused instant death in man and beast; foul-smelling grounds, constantly releasing more diffused miasma, did not produce sudden death – but they debilitated those living nearby, according to their level of exposure and individual resistance.

The Guardian

Irfan later told me his wife simply did not want to sit next to the foul-smelling lavatories.

The Guardian - Opinion

They refill their packs, pouring the thick, acrid-smelling liquid from buckets.

The Guardian

I can recall the clean-smelling interiors of each rental car, always a different model and a slightly different shape; the empty glove box; the chipped toes of my boots; and how my hands became swollen and too weak to make a fist after a day of walking uphill.

The Guardian - Books

Eco-friendly wholemealites with a progressive, faintly Dutch-smelling attitude to life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smelling" to describe the action of perceiving a scent or aroma, ensuring the context clarifies whether it's a pleasant or unpleasant experience. For instance, "smelling the roses" evokes a positive image, while "smelling something burning" indicates a potential danger.

Common error

Avoid using "smelling" passively when a more direct verb would be clearer. Instead of "The kitchen was smelling of gas", use "I smelled gas in the kitchen" for a more active and immediate sense of perception.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "smelling" is a verb, specifically the present participle of the verb "smell". It describes an ongoing action of perceiving scent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "smelling" is a versatile term used to describe the act of perceiving scents, with Ludwig AI confirming its correctness and broad applicability. As a verb, it conveys the sensory experience of detecting odors. Its usage spans various contexts, from News & Media to Lifestyle and Science, indicating its widespread relevance. Common errors include passive constructions, which can be avoided by opting for more direct phrasing. The examples demonstrate "smelling" used in both positive and negative contexts, showing its range and flexibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detecting scents

Highlights the identification of specific smells.

perceiving odors

Focuses on the sensory act of detecting scents.

scenting

A more concise term for the act of smelling, though less common.

sensing odors

Emphasizes the awareness of smells.

inhaling aromas

Implies a deliberate act of smelling pleasant scents.

having a scent

Describes something possessing a smell.

giving off an odor

Describes the release of a smell.

emitting a fragrance

Focuses on the source of the smell.

aromatic

Adjective to define something which is smelling

odorous

Adjective to define something which is smelling

FAQs

How do you use "smelling" in a sentence?

You can use "smelling" to describe the act of perceiving a scent, as in "She was smelling the flowers in the garden", or to describe the quality of something's scent, such as "The air was smelling fresh and clean".

What can I say instead of "smelling"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "detecting scents", "perceiving odors", or "inhaling aromas". Each has a slightly different nuance.

Is "smelling" a verb or a noun?

"Smelling" can function as both a verb (the present participle of "smell") and a noun (the act by which something is smelled). The context of the sentence determines its grammatical role.

Which is correct, "smelling of roses" or "smelling like roses"?

Both "smelling of roses" and "smelling like roses" are acceptable. "Smelling of roses" is generally considered more formal, while "smelling like roses" is more common in everyday speech.