In a message dated 2/7/2005 12:20:20 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, pas@xxxxxxxx writes: Perhaps Eastwood's character is wiser than he appears. Dunno. I thought "Million dollar baby" was not fictional, but apparently it is, so no way to trace if there's a real Frankie (other than the character played by Eastwood) who said it. More on the grammar of 'smell' below. Cheers, JL --- From _http://www.unt.edu/writing_center/Grammar_Review.html_ (http://www.unt.edu/writing_center/Grammar_Review.html) Keep in mind that linking verbs-- appear, smell, look, become, feel, be, seem, taste -- need a complement (adjective), not an adverb. Look at the following examples. NOT The lilacs smell sweetly. (lilacs have no nose, silly!) USE The lilacs smell sweet. (lilacs have a sweet smell, which is a quality: think ADJECTIVE instead of ADVERB) Remember, you do not want to say how (adverb) the lilacs smell but rather what (adjective) they smell like. As a result, you need a subject complement (adjective)â??NOT an adverb. This is because "smell" is a linking verb. ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html