a smoothly working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smoothly working" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be used in contexts where you want to describe something that operates efficiently or without issues, but it needs to be adjusted for grammatical accuracy. Example: "The machine is a smoothly working device that enhances productivity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Indeed, it is a mark of weakness, not of strength, if a national leader fails to bequeath a smoothly working structure of leadership to a clearly designated successor.

The Economist

It's all arranged with the precision of a smoothly working clock, which is lucky, considering the band's "one take, no edits" policy.

The Guardian - Music

By designing its own chips, Apple was able to build a smoothly working fingerprint reader into its devices, making them more private.

The New Yorker

WASHINGTON -- After 26 months in office, President Obama still has not forged a smoothly working national security team that can both nimbly pounce on military crises and deftly manage festering problems, say current and former U.S. officials.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Don Draper smoothly works in both worlds and belongs to neither.

The New York Times - Arts

"We really see 3D Printing here as a way to work smoothly in a moving environment, where big companies have really good reasons to change standards from time to time".

TechCrunch

Is the city-dweller best visualised as a smoothly moving pixel, travelling to work, shops and home again, on a colourful 3D graphic display?

The Guardian

They require the rewriting of decades-old laws, the assent of a balky Congress, favorable rulings from courts and a bureaucracy that works smoothly and swiftly to advance a president's goals.

The New York Times

Unfortunately the work — a smoothly looping, leg-whirling dance set to extracts from Thom Yorke's "Eraser" and backed by vividly colored screen projections of horizontal lines by Mark Randall — was less interesting than the explanation.

The New York Times - Arts

Eton is a Legoland too, an artifice where everything works smoothly, seemingly smoothly, according to its own laws, and quietly as the rain on its limestone.

The Guardian - Books

The trackball moves fairly smoothly, and works as a directional pad if needed by the applications.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing efficient systems, consider using alternatives like "well-functioning" or "efficiently operating" as these are more standard and grammatically sound.

Common error

Avoid combining adverbs like "smoothly" directly with present participles such as "working" when a stronger verb or a more descriptive adjective phrase might be clearer and more grammatically correct. For example, instead of saying "a smoothly working system", consider saying "a well-functioning system" or "a system that operates smoothly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smoothly working" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, aiming to describe a noun by indicating the manner in which it operates. However, Ludwig AI points out that this construction isn't the most standard in English, suggesting alternatives for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a smoothly working" is understandable, Ludwig AI suggests that it's not the most grammatically sound or common choice in standard written English. It aims to describe something operating efficiently, but alternatives like "well-functioning" or "efficiently operating" are preferable for improved clarity and formality. The phrase appears in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register, but stronger alternatives are recommended for professional or academic use. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a well-functioning

Replaces "smoothly working" with a more common adjective emphasizing proper function.

an efficiently operating

Substitutes "smoothly working" with a phrase emphasizing efficiency in its operation.

seamlessly operating

Uses "seamlessly" to highlight the smooth and integrated nature of the operation.

effectively running

Focuses on the effective and continuous nature of the operation.

a properly working

Highlights that something is working in the correct or intended manner.

a reliably functioning

Emphasizes the dependability and consistent performance of the item.

a streamlined operation

Shifts the focus to the efficiency and simplicity of the operation itself.

a polished performance

Conveys sophistication and flawlessness in execution.

a finely tuned

Suggests careful adjustment and optimization for peak performance.

an optimized process

Highlights that the process has been refined for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a smoothly working" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "well-functioning", "efficiently operating", or "seamlessly operating" to convey the same meaning with improved grammatical correctness.

Is "a smoothly working" grammatically correct in formal writing?

While understandable, "a smoothly working" might be considered less formal. Alternatives like "a well-functioning" or "an efficiently operating" are generally preferred in formal contexts.

What's a more concise way to express "a smoothly working"?

Alternatives like "well-functioning" offer a more concise way to convey the idea of efficient operation.

When is it appropriate to use "a smoothly working"?

While not strictly incorrect, "a smoothly working" is less common than alternatives and might be better suited for informal contexts. For formal writing, "a well-functioning" or "an efficiently operating" are generally preferred.