smelling otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smelling otherwise" is not commonly used in written English, but it is grammatically correct.
You can use it to suggest that something has a different or unexpected scent compared to what is typically expected. Example: "The flowers were beautiful, but they were smelling otherwise, hinting at something unusual in the soil."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If you think a man smells otherwise, can you sue Old Spice for false advertising?

TechCrunch

The filter should have a neutral smell; otherwise it will impinge the flavor.

WikiHow

Remove the almonds from the heat just before they begin to develop browned edges and a fragrant smell, otherwise they will start to burn.

WikiHow

Make sure the animals cannot see or smell you, otherwise they will come up to the fence and stare at you, expecting some form of treat, or run away where you cannot observe them.

WikiHow

Showering, shaving, and otherwise smelling nice are also essential.

WikiHow

We have no control over which smells (stinky or otherwise) our noses sense, what sounds our ears pick up on, or the sights that our eyes see (although we can always close them to block out something hideous) but we can decide what our fingers should — and shouldn't — touch.

The New York Times - Arts

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Vice

If it looks unusual, smells bad, or otherwise worries you, leave it.

WikiHow

When you vacuum stink bugs, make sure you change the bag right away, since the vacuum will otherwise smell like the bugs.

WikiHow

She washed him for Westminster because he had recently been digging in dirty snow, but otherwise, he only gets a bath "when he starts smelling like a dog".

The New York Times - Sports

Don't feed the treat from your hand, otherwise your dog will get more interested in the delicious smelling hand than in the piece of paper.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scents, use "smelling otherwise" to denote a deviation from the expected aroma. This can add depth to descriptions in creative writing or technical reports where subtle scent differences are important.

Common error

Avoid using "smelling otherwise" excessively in highly formal or technical documents where more precise and commonly used alternatives like "having a different scent" or "exhibiting an unusual odor" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smelling otherwise" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun by indicating that its scent deviates from what is expected or typical. While Ludwig AI acknowledges its grammatical correctness, its infrequent use suggests it may not always be the most conventional choice.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smelling otherwise" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a scent that deviates from the norm. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness is confirmed, but its rarity suggests it's best reserved for contexts where a slightly unconventional phrasing is desired. More common alternatives like "having a different scent" or "emitting an unusual odor" may be preferable in formal settings. While technically sound, consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a different scent

Replaces "smelling" with "having a scent", focusing on possession of a scent rather than the act of smelling, and uses 'different' instead of 'otherwise' for direct contrast.

having a smell unlike the usual

Directly contrasts the smell with what is typical or expected, making it clear that it is deviating from the norm.

emitting an unusual odor

Substitutes "smelling" with "emitting an odor", highlighting the action of releasing a smell, and specifies 'unusual' to describe the odor's nature.

displaying a peculiar smell

Focuses on the display of a smell that is out of the ordinary, using "peculiar" to underscore its strangeness.

giving off a strange fragrance

Changes "smelling" to "giving off a fragrance", which can imply a more pleasant or subtle scent, while 'strange' denotes the unexpected quality.

characterized by an uncommon odor

Highlights the defining characteristics of the smell, emphasizing its unusual nature.

presenting an atypical aroma

Replaces "smelling" with "presenting an aroma", formalizing the description, and uses 'atypical' to indicate the deviation from the norm.

manifesting a divergent fragrance

Replaces "smelling" with "manifesting a fragrance", suggesting the scent is appearing or becoming evident in a way that is different than expected.

exhibiting an altered scent profile

Formal and technical, replacing "smelling" with "exhibiting a scent profile", which is more analytical, and uses 'altered' to describe the change.

with an unexpected olfactory quality

Uses "olfactory quality" to refer to the sense of smell and highlights the unexpected nature of the scent.

FAQs

How can I use "smelling otherwise" in a sentence?

You can use "smelling otherwise" to describe something that has a scent that deviates from what is typically expected. For example: "The flowers were beautiful, but they were smelling otherwise, hinting at something unusual in the soil."

What can I say instead of "smelling otherwise"?

You can use alternatives like "having a different scent", "emitting an unusual odor", or "displaying a peculiar smell" depending on the context.

Is "smelling otherwise" grammatically correct?

Yes, "smelling otherwise" is grammatically correct, although it is not a commonly used phrase in contemporary English. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

In what contexts is "smelling otherwise" most appropriate?

While grammatically correct, "smelling otherwise" may be more suitable for creative writing or less formal contexts where a slightly unusual or unexpected phrasing can add character. In formal or technical contexts, consider using more common alternatives.