tastes sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tastes sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the flavor of food or drink that has a sweet flavor profile. Example: "The ripe strawberries taste sweet and juicy, making them a perfect addition to the dessert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Eating and storytelling are inseparable — the saltwater is also tears; the honey not only tastes sweet, but makes us think of sweetness; the matzo is the bread of our affliction".

The New Yorker

A very ripe peach, for example, tastes sweet but it also smells sweet — which is a very different aspect of sweetness.

The New Yorker

The rain tastes sweet.

The Guardian - Books

"If you're swimming, the water tastes sweet".

The New York Times

The bun tastes sweet and pillowy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It tastes sweet," Mr. Black said in an interview.

The New York Times - Arts

But the surprise is that it tastes sweet and buttery.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has since developed strips that come in five tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami.

The New Yorker

There are only five tastes: sweet, bitter, salty, pungent, and insipid.

The New Yorker

Warm tastes sweet and sometimes bitter; cold can seem salty or sour.

The New York Times - Health

But there are receptors for five tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami (sometimes termed savory).

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, consider using more descriptive adjectives with "tastes sweet" to provide a richer sensory experience. For example: "tastes sweet and buttery" or "tastes sweet with a hint of citrus."

Common error

Avoid using "tastes sweet" in contexts that require a more objective or analytical description of flavor profiles. In scientific or professional writing, opt for terms like "exhibits a high sugar content" or "has a pronounced sweetness" for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tastes sweet" functions primarily as a descriptive expression, characterizing the flavor profile of a substance. As Ludwig confirms, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to convey that something has a sweet flavor. It connects the verb "tastes" (a sensory experience) with the adjective "sweet" (a flavor attribute).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tastes sweet" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase primarily used to describe the flavor profile of various substances. Ludwig confirms its correctness, supported by a plethora of examples from diverse sources, with its highest concentration in the News & Media category. While acceptable in most contexts, it's advisable to use more precise or technical language in scientific or professional writing scenarios. Alternatives such as "has a sweet taste" or "is sweet flavored" can provide subtle variations in conveying the same fundamental meaning. Ultimately, understanding the context and desired level of formality is key to effectively utilizing "tastes sweet" in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has a sweet taste

Replaces the verb "tastes" with "has", emphasizing the characteristic of possessing sweetness.

is sweet flavored

Changes the structure to emphasize the presence of sweet flavoring.

possesses a sweet flavor

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the presence of a sweet flavor.

exhibits a sweet taste

Replaces "tastes" with "exhibits", providing a more analytical tone.

carries a sweet flavor

Uses "carries" to suggest the flavor is inherent and noticeable.

offers a sweet taste

Changes the verb to "offers", implying the taste is available and accessible.

is sugary

Uses a single adjective to describe the sweet quality.

has sugary flavor

More direct description of the flavour.

is honeyed

Implies a sweet flavour reminiscent of honey.

has a candy flavor

More direct description of the flavour.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "tastes sweet"?

You can use alternatives like "has a sweet taste", "is sweet flavored", or "possesses a sweet flavor" depending on the context.

How to use "tastes sweet" in a sentence?

You can use "tastes sweet" to describe the flavor of food or drink, such as "The ripe strawberries taste sweet and juicy" or "The wine tastes sweet with hints of berry."

Which is correct, "tastes sweet" or "taste sweetly"?

"Tastes sweet" is correct because "sweet" is an adjective describing the taste. "Sweetly" is an adverb and would describe how something tastes, which is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Is it redundant to say something "tastes sweet"?

While "sweet" directly relates to taste, saying something "tastes sweet" emphasizes the sensory experience of tasting sweetness, clarifying the perceived flavor rather than merely stating its composition.