are smoothed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are smoothed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process where surfaces or edges are made smooth, often in contexts related to manufacturing, woodworking, or graphic design. Example: "The edges of the table are smoothed to ensure safety and comfort for users."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The edges are smoothed, the ends tucked away.

The New York Times - Arts

Bumps are smoothed in John Crowley's production by the force and ease of the acting.

The Guardian

Their rough edges, however, are smoothed by a display that emphasizes uniformity.

The New York Times - Arts

Imperfections are smoothed out overnight, but the risk of collapse is ever-present.

The Guardian - Film

The city's rough edges are smoothed over to satisfy the hunger for more tourist dollars.

The New York Times - Arts

He looks calmly straight ahead, and the lines in his face are smoothed out.

The New York Times - Arts

Forms of words are found, disagreements are smoothed over or conveniently overlooked and compromises brokered.

The Economist

Instead, conflicts are smoothed over and a chorus of agreement rises from the walls.

The New York Times

Entire mouths, hands, chins are smoothed away – or are left unpainted.

Independent

Then subsequent layers are baked on, and the drippings are smoothed off against a board as they turn.

The New Yorker

The cracks are smoothed over and the old animosities aren't flattered with the opportunity to make waves.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are smoothed" in technical writing, specify the method or process used for smoothing to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are smoothed" when referring to abstract concepts that don't have a physical surface or edge. Instead, opt for words like "resolved", "clarified", or "addressed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are smoothed" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject has undergone a process to become smoother. Ludwig's examples show it used across both literal and figurative contexts, describing both physical surfaces and abstract data being made uniform.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are smoothed" is a versatile passive verb phrase indicating the action of making something more even or less rough. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it commonly appears in scientific and news contexts, conveying both literal and figurative meanings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. When writing, consider the specific method of smoothing for clarity and avoid using it for abstract concepts lacking physical form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been refined

Focuses on improvement through a process, emphasizing subtle enhancements.

have been evened out

Highlights the act of making something uniform or consistent, eliminating discrepancies.

have been leveled

Suggests bringing something to a consistent horizontal plane or standard.

have been softened

Implies a reduction in harshness or intensity, making something gentler.

have been polished

Emphasizes a surface treatment to improve appearance and smoothness.

have been streamlined

Indicates making a process more efficient and less complex.

have been standardized

Highlights the application of a uniform set of rules or criteria.

have been ameliorated

Suggests making something better or more tolerable, often related to negative conditions.

have been mitigated

Implies lessening the severity or impact of something negative.

have been attenuated

Focuses on reducing the force, effect, or value of something.

FAQs

How can I use "are smoothed" in a sentence?

You can use "are smoothed" to describe a process where a surface becomes less rough, like "The edges of the wood "are smoothed" to prevent splinters".

What's a good alternative to "are smoothed"?

Alternatives to "are smoothed" include "are refined", "are polished", or "are leveled", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "are smoothed"?

When something "are smoothed", it means that its surface has been made more even, uniform, or less rough through some process.

In what contexts is "are smoothed" commonly used?

"Are smoothed" is often used in technical, scientific, or manufacturing contexts to describe the treatment of surfaces, data, or processes. News media may also employ "are smoothed" in both a literal or more descriptive or metaphorical sense.