Past Tense of Smell: Are You Sure You Know the Correct Form?

Welcome to our article on the past tense of smell. Understanding tenses in English can be tricky, but it is an essential aspect of learning the language. The past tense is used to talk about events that have already happened, and it is essential to know how to use it correctly to communicate effectively.

In this article, we will focus on the past tense of smell and provide you with everything you need to know to use it accurately. We will cover its definition, how it is used in sentences, common mistakes to avoid, and tips to remember. Additionally, we will provide you with practice exercises to help you master the past tense of smell.

Past Tense of Smell

Contents

Definition of Smell and the Past Tense of Smell

When we talk about smell, we are referring to our ability to perceive odors or scents through stimuli affecting the olfactory nerves. This ability is essential for our survival, as it helps us detect potential dangers such as gas leaks, smoke, or spoiled food.

The past tense of smell can be a bit confusing since it has two forms, smelled and smelt. The usage of these forms depends on the dialect of English you are using. If you are from the United States or Canada, you will usually use the form smelled. However, if you are from the United Kingdom or Australia, you can use both smelled and smelt interchangeably.

Here’s a table summarizing the different forms of the verb smell:

Verb Form	Example
Simple Present Tense	You smell something burning.
Present Continuous Tense	You are smelling the roses.
Present Perfect Tense	You have smelled something strange.
Past Tense	You smelled or smelt the perfume.
Past Participle	You have smelled or smelt the flowers.

Usage of Past Tense of Smell

Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense of smell is “smelled” or “smelt.” Both forms are correct and acceptable, but “smelled” is more commonly used in North America, while “smelt” is more commonly used in the UK and Australia. Here are some examples of how to use the simple past tense of smell:

You smelled the roses in the garden.
She smelt the smoke from the fire.

Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous tense of smell is formed by using “was/were” + “smelling.” This tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past. Here are some examples:

You were smelling the flowers when I arrived.
They were smelling the food before they ate it.

Past Perfect

The past perfect tense of smell is formed by using “had” + “smelled” or “had” + “smelt.” This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. Here are some examples:

You had smelled the perfume before you bought it.
She had smelt the smoke before she called the fire department.

Past Perfect Continuous

The past perfect continuous tense of smell is formed by using “had been” + “smelling.” This tense is used to describe an ongoing action that was completed before another action in the past. Here are some examples:

You had been smelling the flowers for hours before you finally stopped.
They had been smelling the food for a while before they decided to eat it.

Past Tense of Smell in Different Types of Sentences

When using the past tense of “smell” in affirmative sentences, you can use either “smelled” or “smelt.” For example:

You smelled the roses in the garden.
She smelt the burning toast in the kitchen.

In negative sentences, “did not” is added before the past tense form of “smell.” For example:

You did not smell the gas leak in the house.
They did not smell the smoke from the fire.

In interrogative sentences, the order of the subject and auxiliary verb is switched. For example:

Did you smell the perfume on her?
Was he able to smell the foul odor from the garbage?

Using Smell in Different Contexts

When it comes to using the past tense of the verb “smell,” there are a few things to keep in mind. The past tense of “smell” can be either “smelled” or “smelt,” depending on the dialect of English you are speaking.

If you are speaking a North American dialect, “smelled” is the more common form. However, if you are speaking an Australian or British dialect, “smelt” is also an acceptable past tense form of “smell.”

Here are a few examples of using “smell” in different contexts:

Describing a scent: You might say, “The flowers smelled lovely,” or “The garbage smelled terrible.” In the past tense, you would say, “The flowers smelled lovely yesterday,” or “The garbage smelled terrible last week.”
Talking about a memory: You might say, “I remember the way my grandmother’s kitchen smelled of fresh-baked bread,” or “I can still smell the salty ocean air from my childhood beach vacations.” In the past tense, you would say, “I remembered the way my grandmother’s kitchen smelled of fresh-baked bread,” or “I could still smell the salty ocean air from my childhood beach vacations.”
Discussing a change in scent: You might say, “The milk smells sour now,” or “The perfume smelled different on my skin than in the bottle.” In the past tense, you would say, “The milk smelled sour yesterday,” or “The perfume smelled different on my skin than in the bottle last night.”

Common Mistakes with Past Tense of Smell

When it comes to the past tense of smell, there are a few common mistakes that people make. Here are some of the most frequent errors and how to avoid them:

Using “smelt” in American English

In British English, “smelt” is an accepted past tense form of “smell.” However, in American English, “smelled” is the preferred form. Using “smelt” in American English can sound awkward and might even be considered incorrect.

Confusing “smelled” with “spelled”

“Spelled” is the past tense form of the verb “spell,” not “smell.” Using “spelled” instead of “smelled” can lead to confusion and make your writing sound unprofessional.

Collocations and Phrases with Smell

When it comes to using the word “smell” in different contexts, there are several collocations and phrases that you may find useful. Here are some examples:

Characteristic smell: This phrase is often used to describe a particular odor that is associated with a specific place or thing. For instance, you might say, “The characteristic smell of the ocean filled my nostrils as I walked along the beach.”
Foul smell: This phrase is used to describe an unpleasant odor. For example, you might say, “I had to hold my breath because of the foul smell coming from the dumpster.”
Fresh smell: This phrase is used to describe a pleasant, clean scent. You might say, “The fresh smell of laundry detergent filled the room after I finished washing my clothes.”
Strong smell: This phrase is used to describe an odor that is particularly potent. For example, you might say, “The strong smell of garlic made my eyes water.”
Smell a rat: This phrase is used to describe a feeling that something is not quite right. For instance, you might say, “I smelled a rat when my boss suddenly asked me to work late on a Friday night.”
Wake up and smell the coffee: This phrase is often used to tell someone to pay attention to what is happening around them. For example, you might say, “You need to wake up and smell the coffee if you want to succeed in this business.”

By using these collocations and phrases, you can make your writing more interesting and engaging. Just be sure to use them appropriately and in the right context.

Regular vs. Irregular Verbs

When it comes to English verbs, there are two types: regular and irregular. Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern when forming their past tense and past participle, usually by adding “-ed” to the base form. For example, the past tense of “walk” is “walked” and the past participle is “walked.”

Irregular verbs, on the other hand, do not follow this pattern and can be more difficult to learn because their past tense and past participle forms can be completely different from their base form. The verb “smell” is one such irregular verb.

One thing to note is that some irregular verbs have both a regular and irregular form for their past tense and past participle. For example, the past tense of “smell” can be either “smelled” or “smelt”, depending on which form you prefer. Both forms are correct, but “smelled” is more commonly used in American English while “smelt” is more commonly used in British English.

Here is a table showing the conjugation of “smell” in the present, past, and past participle tenses:

Tense	Conjugation
Present	I smell, you smell, he/she/it smells, we smell, they smell
Past	I smelled/smelt, you smelled/smelt, he/she/it smelled/smelt, we smelled/smelt, they smelled/smelt
Past Participle	Smelled/Smelt

It’s important to note that while “smelt” is considered correct, it is not interchangeable with “smelled” in all contexts. “Smelt” has other meanings unrelated to smelling, such as in the context of metalworking or fish.

Tips to Remember the Past Tense of Verbs

Memorize Common Irregular Verbs First

One of the best ways to learn the past tense of irregular verbs is to memorize the most common ones first. This will help you get a better understanding of how they work and make it easier to remember them. Some of the most common irregular verbs include “be,” “have,” “do,” “go,” “see,” and “get.”

Here is a list of some of the most common irregular verbs in English:

be: was/were, been
have: had
do: did, done
go: went, gone
see: saw, seen
come: came, come
give: gave, given
take: took, taken
make: made
eat: ate, eaten
drink: drank, drunk
find: found
feel: felt
smell: smelled/smelt, smelled/smelt

Group Common Irregular Verbs Together

Another helpful tip is to group common irregular verbs together. This will help you see patterns and similarities between them, making it easier to remember their past tense forms. For example, verbs like “smell,” “spell,” “tell,” and “sell” all have the same past tense form: “smelled,” “spelled,” “told,” and “sold.”

Use Memory Tricks

Memory tricks can be a great way to remember the past tense of irregular verbs. For example, you can try creating a story or visual image that connects the past tense form to the present tense form. For “smell,” you could imagine smelling a flower yesterday and saying “I smelled the flower.”

Practice with Sentences and Songs

Learning irregular verbs in context can also be helpful. Try practicing with sentences that use the past tense form of irregular verbs. You could also try learning irregular verbs through songs, which can be a fun and engaging way to memorize them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the past tense of smell?

The past tense of smell can be either “smelled” or “smelt.” Both are considered correct and widely used, although “smelled” is more common in American English.

How do you use smelled in a sentence?

To use “smelled” in a sentence, simply conjugate the verb “smell” to the past tense. For example: “Yesterday, I smelled the fresh bread baking in the oven.”

What is the difference between smelt and smelled?

“Smelt” and “smelled” are different past tense forms of the verb “smell.” “Smelled” is more commonly used in American English, while “smelt” is more commonly used in British English. Additionally, “smelt” can also refer to the process of extracting metal from ore.

What are the verb forms of smell?

The verb forms of “smell” are as follows:

Infinitive: to smell
Present tense: I smell, you smell, he/she/it smells, we smell, they smell
Past tense: I smelled/smelt, you smelled/smelt, he/she/it smelled/smelt, we smelled/smelt, they smelled/smelt
Present participle: smelling
Past participle: smelled/smelt

Author
Recent Posts

ESLBUZZ

ESLBUZZ is a cloud-based language learning application dedicated to providing high-quality educational resources to language students worldwide. We have experienced tutors, teachers, writers, and editors committed to helping students achieve their language goals.