0
Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

What's this mean?

Could you explain this to me?

You're in your room, your room has a little hole in the wall, and in other room, someone is cooking

You say:

Does this sentence mean you are voluntarily smelling it or involuntarily smelling it.

Which is the right way to say it?

I can smell the food through the hole in the wall. - Voluntarily?

I can smell the food coming at me, into my room through the hole in the wall. - Involuntarily?
The smell of the food is coming at me, into my room through the hole in the wall.

I appreciate the help
  

Top answer

I can smell normally means 'involuntarily', but it is also possible to interpret it as 'voluntarily'. Assume 'involuntarily' unless it is made more obvious that the 'voluntary' meaning is intended. English does not make a distinction.

— CalifJim

  • I can smell normally means 'involuntarily', but it is also possible to interpret it as 'voluntarily'.
  • Assume 'involuntarily' unless it is made more obvious that the 'voluntary' meaning is intended.
  • English does not make a distinction.
  • The verb is 'smell' in either case.
  • CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
I can smell normally means 'involuntarily', but it is also possible to interpret it as 'voluntarily'.

Assume 'involuntarily' unless it is made more obvious that the 'voluntary' meaning is intended.

English does not make a distinction. The verb is 'smell' in either case.

CJ
0
0
Will you correct what's wrong make it natural souding?

Is there a different?

I can smell the food through the hole in the wall.

I can smell the food coming at me, into my room through the hole in the wall.

The smell of the food is coming at me, into my room through the hole in the wall.

I appreciate
0
0
AnonymousI can smell the food through the hole in the wall.
This is correct. I don't recommend "coming at me".

CJ
0

Related Questions