this smells good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this smells good" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a positive reaction to a pleasant scent, often related to food or fragrances. Example: "As I walked into the kitchen, I couldn't help but say, 'This smells good!' when I caught a whiff of the freshly baked cookies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Korres Almond and Linseed Shampoo Waitrose.com, £10 for 250ml Enriched with almond, marjoram and mountain tea extract, this smells good enough to eat, and adds moisture to dull, winter hair.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Success, it smells good.

The New York Times

She smells good, thought Pirnie.

The New Yorker

"It smells good," he said.

The New Yorker

"It smells good in here".

The New Yorker

It's like breathing; it smells good.

The New York Times

It smells good and does not squeak.

The New York Times - Food

Hope it smells good out there, too.

The New York Times - Food

Something that smells good, that smells of money.

Forbes

Santa sure smells good.

Los Angeles Times

It always smells good.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this smells good" to express immediate and positive reactions to scents, especially in informal settings or when describing food, perfumes, or ambient aromas. For example, when you enter a bakery, you might say, "This smells good!" to express your delight.

Common error

Avoid using "this smells good" in highly formal or professional settings. In those situations, opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "this has a pleasant aroma" or "this is fragrant" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this smells good" primarily functions as an expressive statement, indicating a positive sensory experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to convey that something has a pleasant scent. The example of Korres Almond and Linseed Shampoo highlights this usage when describing a product with an appealing fragrance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this smells good" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a pleasant scent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide acceptance. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts. More formal scenarios might benefit from alternatives like "this has a pleasant aroma". Its primary function is to express enjoyment of a particular scent, making it a practical and easily understood phrase in everyday communication. The frequency and variety of sources that use this phrase underscore its prevalence in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This has a pleasant aroma

Replaces the informal "smells" with the more formal "aroma" and uses "pleasant" instead of "good".

This has a delightful scent

Substitutes "smells" with "scent" and "good" with "delightful", focusing on the pleasing nature of the fragrance.

This has a wonderful fragrance

Replaces "smells" with the more descriptive "fragrance" and enhances "good" with "wonderful".

It has a lovely scent

Uses "lovely" as a synonym for "good" and emphasizes the scent.

This is fragrant

A more concise way to express that something has a pleasant smell, using the adjective "fragrant".

The aroma is pleasing

Focuses on the "aroma" itself being pleasing, rather than the act of smelling.

This emits a lovely smell

Replaces the verb "smells" with "emits", slightly more formal.

The fragrance is divine

Emphasizes the exceptional quality of the fragrance using "divine".

A delightful fragrance emanates from this

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the source of the fragrance.

It exudes a pleasant odor

Uses "exudes" to indicate the scent is emanating and "odor" as a scientific neutral term.

FAQs

What does "this smells good" mean?

The phrase "this smells good" is used to express that something has a pleasant or appealing scent. It's a common and straightforward way to indicate that you enjoy the way something smells.

How can I use "this smells good" in a sentence?

You can use "this smells good" when encountering a pleasant scent. For example, "Walking into the garden, I noticed the flowers and said, 'This smells good!'"

What can I say instead of "this smells good"?

You can use alternatives like "this has a pleasant aroma", "this is fragrant", or "this has a delightful scent" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this smells good"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "this smells good". The word "smells" is a linking verb, and "good" is an adjective describing the subject "this".