In the end, only the nose bears the burns. Moreso, when we don’t know the past tense of “smell”. But, worry no more! As this article is focused on clearing the air and maybe freshening up your grammar.
Contents
First things first, let’s dispel a myth
There’s not just one, but two possible past tenses for “smell,” each with its own story and quirks. So, get ready as we get into the ocean depth of verb tenses.
The Classic “Smelled”:
This is the go-to past tense in most places, like North America and parts of the Commonwealth. It’s reliable, familiar, and universally understood like a freshly baked pie.
No raised eyebrows, no dictionary scrambling needed. Just a simple “I smelled the flowers” and everyone knows you were sniffing some roses in the past.
The Mysterious “Smelt”:
This one’s more like an exotic spice, found primarily in British English and some other regions. It’s perfectly valid, but not as common as “smelled.”
Think of it as a secret handshake for grammar aficionados. Using “smelt” might raise an eyebrow or two, but it’s still grammatically correct, just a bit more adventurous.
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The big question is, which one should you use?
Well, it depends on your audience and your personal preference. If you’re writing for a general audience, domiciled in North America and parts of the Commonwealth, or want to avoid any confusion, “smelled” is your safest bet.
But if you’re feeling fancy, writing for a British audience, or want to show off your grammatical prowess, “smelt” can add a touch of flair.
Don’t forget the past participle of “smell”
The verb form used with helping verbs like “have” and “had.” Both “smelled” and “smelt” work here too, so you can say
“I have smelled the sea air” or “The cookies had smelt delicious all morning.”
Now, let’s go beyond the basics
Did you know that “smell” is actually one of those irregular verbs that throw a wrench into the “add -ed” rule? It’s a throwback to Old English, where the past tense was “smealt.”
Over time, the “a” got dropped, leaving us with the two options we have today. So, the next time someone asks you about the past tense of “smell,” you can confidently answer with a display of your grammatical knowledge.
And again, both “smelled” and “smelt” are valid, just like different perfumes give different feelings. Choose the one that best suits the occasion, and let your words step out with accuracy.
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Final Thoughts
Without thinking twice, I’m hopeful that this little excursion through the verb garden has cleared the air. And left you feeling confident about smelling out the past tense of “smell.”
Feel free to spread the grammatical gospel. Remember, it’s either “smell ” or “smelt” and both get the job done, depending on your audience and personal preference.