Have you ever been confused by the words “smelled” and “smelt”? Do you find yourself using them interchangeably? Well, you’re not alone. Many people are unsure of the difference between the two words. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of “smelled” and “smelt” to help you understand when to use each one properly.
We should clear up the confusion. Both “smelled” and “smelt” are correct words, but they are used in different contexts. “Smelled” is the more common of the two and is used in American English. “Smelt,” on the other hand, is used in British English. Both words mean the same thing, which is to perceive an odor or scent with your nose.
While “smelled” and “smelt” have the same meaning, they are used in different contexts. “Smelled” is used in the present tense, while “smelt” is used in the past tense. For example:
- I smelled the roses in the garden. (present tense)
- I smelt the roses in the garden yesterday. (past tense)
It’s important to note that “smelt” is also used as the past participle of the verb “smell.” In this context, it is used to form the present perfect tense and the past perfect tense. For example:
- I have smelt that scent before. (present perfect tense)
- She had smelt the fragrance many times before. (past perfect tense)
Now that we’ve cleared up the difference between “smelled” and “smelt,” let’s take a closer look at some of the common mistakes people make when using these words.
Some people mistakenly believe that “smelt” is the past tense of “smell” and use it in the present tense. For example:
- She smelt the pie baking in the oven. (incorrect)
- She smelled the pie baking in the oven. (correct)
Another common mistake is using “smelled” instead of “smelt” in British English. For example:
- He smelled of cigarettes. (incorrect in British English)
- He smelt of cigarettes. (correct in British English)
Remember, using the correct form of “smelled” or “smelt” depends on the context and the type of English being used.
Define Smelled
Smelled is the past tense and past participle form of the verb smell. It refers to the act of perceiving an odor or scent through the nose. It is a common verb used to describe the sense of smell, and it can be used in both transitive and intransitive forms.
For example:
- “I smelled the flowers in the garden.”
- “The kitchen smelled like freshly baked bread.”
Define Smelt
Smelt is also the past tense and past participle form of the verb smell. However, it is a less common variant of smelled and is mainly used in British English and other Commonwealth countries. It has the same meaning as smelled, referring to the act of perceiving an odor or scent through the nose.
For example:
- “The fish smelt terrible.”
- “She smelt the perfume from across the room.”
It is important to note that while smelt is considered a correct spelling in British English, it may be viewed as incorrect in American English. In American English, the preferred spelling is smelled.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct form of a word can make all the difference in how your writing is perceived. The words “smelled” and “smelt” are often used interchangeably, but they actually have slightly different meanings and uses. Here’s how to use them properly in a sentence.
How To Use “Smelled” In A Sentence
“Smelled” is the more common form of the word, and it is used to describe the act of perceiving an odor with your nose. It is a regular verb, meaning it follows the standard conjugation pattern for English verbs.
Here are some examples of “smelled” used in a sentence:
- I smelled the delicious aroma of fresh-baked bread.
- She smelled the flowers in the garden.
- He smelled the smoke from the fire.
As you can see, “smelled” is used to describe the act of smelling something with your nose. It can be used in the past, present, or future tense, depending on the context of the sentence.
How To Use “Smelt” In A Sentence
“Smelt” is a less common form of the word, and it is used to describe the act of extracting metal from its ore. It is an irregular verb, meaning it does not follow the standard conjugation pattern for English verbs.
Here are some examples of “smelt” used in a sentence:
- The factory smelted iron ore to make steel.
- They smelted gold from the rocks in the river.
- The process of smelting copper involves high temperatures.
As you can see, “smelt” is used to describe the act of extracting metal from its ore. It is not used to describe the act of perceiving an odor with your nose. It is also important to note that “smelt” is an irregular verb, so it does not follow the standard conjugation pattern for English verbs.
More Examples Of Smelled & Smelt Used In Sentences
Understanding the difference between the usage of “smelled” and “smelt” can be tricky. Here are some examples that will help you understand how to use these words correctly in sentences.
Examples Of Using “Smelled” In A Sentence
- The pie smelled delicious.
- He smelled the flowers in the garden.
- She smelled the perfume before buying it.
- The garbage smelled terrible.
- He smelled the smoke and quickly called the fire department.
- The cheese smelled funky but tasted great.
- She smelled the fresh laundry and smiled.
- The fish smelled rotten, so he threw it away.
- He smelled the gas leak and immediately evacuated the building.
- The air smelled of rain.
Examples Of Using “Smelt” In A Sentence
- He smelt of cigarette smoke.
- The factory smelt of chemicals.
- She smelt the burning rubber from the car accident.
- The metal smelt of rust and decay.
- He smelt the salty air from the ocean.
- The flowers smelt sweet and fragrant.
- She smelt the musty odor of the old books.
- The kitchen smelt of freshly baked bread.
- He smelt the pungent aroma of the cheese.
- The room smelt of stale cigarette smoke.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “smelled” and “smelt,” many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these words have different meanings and should be used in specific contexts. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake 1: Using “Smelled” Instead Of “Smelt” In British English
In British English, “smelt” is the preferred past tense and past participle of the verb “smell.” Using “smelled” instead of “smelt” is considered incorrect. For example:
- Incorrect: I smelled the flowers in the garden.
- Correct: I smelt the flowers in the garden.
Tip: If you are writing for a British audience, always use “smelt” instead of “smelled.”
Mistake 2: Using “Smelt” Instead Of “Smelled” In American English
In American English, “smelled” is the more common past tense and past participle of the verb “smell.” Using “smelt” instead of “smelled” is considered old-fashioned. For example:
- Incorrect: I smelt something burning in the kitchen.
- Correct: I smelled something burning in the kitchen.
Tip: If you are writing for an American audience, always use “smelled” instead of “smelt.”
Mistake 3: Using “Smelled” Instead Of “Smelt” In The Context Of Refining Metals
In the context of refining metals, “smelt” is the correct term to use. Using “smelled” in this context is incorrect. For example:
- Incorrect: The metal was smelled to remove impurities.
- Correct: The metal was smelted to remove impurities.
Tip: If you are writing about metal refining, always use “smelt” instead of “smelled.”
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that you are using “smelled” and “smelt” correctly in your writing. Remember to pay attention to the context in which you are using these words and choose the appropriate one accordingly.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between “smelled” and “smelt,” context is key. Both words are commonly used to describe the act of perceiving an odor, but the choice between them can depend on the specific context in which they are used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “smelled” and “smelt” might change:
| Context | Example Sentence | Preferred Word Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Formal Writing | The room smelled of lavender. | Smelled |
| Informal Writing | The garbage can smelt terrible. | Smelt |
| Regional Variations | In British English, they smelt the cheese before eating it. | Smelt |
| Emphasis on the Past Tense | She smelled the roses in the garden yesterday. | Smelled |
In formal writing, “smelled” is generally preferred over “smelt.” However, in more informal contexts, such as casual conversation or creative writing, “smelt” may be more appropriate.
It’s also worth noting that there are regional variations in the use of these words. In British English, for example, “smelt” is often used instead of “smelled.”
Finally, the choice between “smelled” and “smelt” can also depend on whether the emphasis is on the present or past tense. In the example sentence “She smelled the roses in the garden yesterday,” “smelled” is the preferred choice because it emphasizes the past tense.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the general rule is to use “smelled” in American English and “smelt” in British English, there are certain exceptions where this rule might not apply. Let’s take a look at some of these exceptions:
1. Chemical Processes
In the context of chemical processes, “smelt” is the preferred term regardless of the variety of English being used. This is because “smelt” refers to the process of extracting metal from its ore through heating, while “smelled” is not used in this context.
Example: The copper ore was smelted in the furnace to produce pure copper.
2. Fish
When referring to fish, “smelt” is the correct term to use regardless of the variety of English being used. This is because “smelt” is a type of small fish found in freshwater and saltwater, while “smelled” is not used in this context.
Example: The river was teeming with smelt during the spawning season.
3. Figurative Language
In figurative language, both “smelled” and “smelt” can be used interchangeably to convey a particular meaning or mood. For example, “smelt” can be used to create a sense of nostalgia or evoke a particular memory, while “smelled” can be used to create a more objective or factual tone.
Example: As she walked through the old house, she smelt the musty scent of memories long forgotten.
Overall, while there are certain exceptions to the general rule for using “smelled” and “smelt,” it is important to understand the context in which each term is used to ensure clear and effective communication.
Practice Exercises
It is important to practice using the correct form of smelled and smelt in sentences to improve your understanding and usage of these words. Below are some practice exercises to help you:
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with either smelled or smelt:
- He ___________ the roses before he bought them.
- She ___________ the cake burning in the oven.
- The fish ___________ terrible after being left out in the sun.
- Have you ever ___________ a skunk?
- She ___________ the aroma of freshly baked bread.
Answer Key:
- smelled
- smelled
- smelt
- smelt
- smelled
Exercise 2
Choose the correct form of smelled or smelt to complete the sentences:
- He ___________ the coffee brewing in the kitchen.
- She ___________ the flowers before she bought them.
- The garbage ___________ terrible after sitting in the hot sun all day.
- Have you ever ___________ the salty ocean air?
- She ___________ the aroma of freshly baked cookies.
Answer Key:
- smelled
- smelt
- smelled
- smelt
- smelled
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of smelled and smelt in sentences. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to use the correct form in the appropriate context.
Conclusion
After exploring the difference between “smelled” and “smelt,” it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. “Smelled” is the more commonly used term in American English, while “smelt” is more commonly used in British English. However, both words can be used correctly depending on the context.
Key takeaways from this article include:
- “Smelled” is the preferred spelling in American English
- “Smelt” is the preferred spelling in British English
- The choice between “smelled” and “smelt” depends on the context
- It is important to pay attention to spelling and grammar when writing in order to effectively communicate your message
As with any aspect of language and grammar, there is always more to learn. By continuing to study and improve your language use, you can become a more effective communicator and writer.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.