* Smell as a Verb: "Smell" is primarily used as an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. It describes the action of perceiving something with your nose.
* Example: "I smell the flowers." (You are smelling, but the flowers are not being smelled.)
Using "Smell" Transitively:
While you can't directly use "smell" as a transitive verb, you can use it transitively with a few tricks:
1. Use a preposition: You can use "smell" with a preposition like "of" or "at" to create a transitive-like construction.
* Example: "I smell of roses." (You are smelling like roses.)
2. Use a different verb: For a more direct transitive action, use a different verb that expresses the idea of "smell."
* Example: "The dog sniffed the food." (The dog directly smelled the food.)
3. Use an adjective: You can use an adjective related to smell to describe something.
* Example: "The cake was smelly." (The cake had a strong smell.)
In short: While "smell" is primarily intransitive, you can create transitive constructions using prepositions, different verbs, or adjectives.