as flat as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as flat as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the desire for something to be as level or even as it can be, often in contexts like cooking, construction, or design. Example: "To ensure the cake bakes evenly, make sure the batter is spread out as flat as possible in the pan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pin the seam back together, keeping the fabric as flat as possible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fact, property developers are often exceptionally keen on keeping the river as flat as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Body position: Your body should be parallel with the water's surface and as flat as possible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The tech instructed Dom to remain as flat as possible, to keep very, very still.

The New Yorker

Make sure you keep the fabric as flat as possible when you are tracing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Second is coordination making sure our management and organization stay as flat as possible and that everybody keeps communicating.

Harvard Business Review

Spoon the mixture into your baking tin and press down firmly with a wooden spoon to make it as flat as possible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While the mix is still warm, spoon into small pots suitable for the oven, ensuring the mix is as flat as possible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But, there is an attempt to keep nonlabor costs "as flat as possible," the company's chief executive, Gary B. Pruitt, said.

The New York Times

Some of the villagers scrambled to the roadsides, trying to hide in shallow irrigation ditches; others dropped and made themselves as flat as possible.

The New York Times - Magazine

These designs aimed to provide a frequency response as flat as possible at the receivers, thus avoiding unpleasant spectral coloration effects.

Applied Acoustics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to prepare a surface, use "as flat as possible" to clearly communicate the need for evenness, whether it's for cooking, crafting, or construction.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "try to make it as flat as possible if you can" as it introduces unnecessary uncertainty. Simply state, "make it as flat as possible" to ensure clarity and authority in the instruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as flat as possible" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the desired degree of flatness in an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showing examples where it instructs on achieving maximum flatness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

41%

News & Media

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as flat as possible" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression across various contexts, including Wiki, News & Media, and Science. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to instruct or recommend achieving maximal flatness. While alternatives like "as level as possible" or "as even as possible" exist, "as flat as possible" remains a versatile and direct way to communicate the need for a surface or object to be as even and level as achievable. Its neutral register and frequent usage make it suitable for a wide range of applications, from cooking instructions to medical procedures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as level as possible

Replaces "flat" with "level", emphasizing horizontal evenness, typically when describing surfaces.

as even as possible

Focuses on uniformity and consistency, suitable when surface texture is important.

to the greatest extent flat

A more formal phrasing, emphasizing the degree of flatness achieved.

with maximum flatness

Highlights flatness as a key characteristic to be maximized.

as smooth as achievable

Shifts the focus to smoothness, implying the removal of irregularities.

to minimize unevenness

Focuses on reducing the lack of evenness, indirectly implying a desire for flatness.

perfectly planar

Uses the term 'planar' to describe something that exists in a single plane.

made completely flat

Emphasizes the action of making something flat.

optimized for flatness

Implies a process of adjustment to achieve maximum flatness.

as horizontal as feasible

Emphasizes the orientation and practical constraints on achieving flatness.

FAQs

How can I use "as flat as possible" in a sentence?

This phrase is commonly used to describe the desired state of a surface or object. For example, "Roll the dough "as flat as possible" before baking" or "Lay the fabric "as flat as possible" on the cutting table".

What are some alternatives to "as flat as possible"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "as level as possible", "as even as possible", or to the greatest extent flat.

In what contexts is "as flat as possible" commonly used?

The phrase is versatile and appears in instructions related to cooking, sewing, construction, and even medical procedures where positioning is crucial. It's often used to emphasize the importance of a smooth, even surface or alignment.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as flat as possible"?

Yes, the phrase "as flat as possible" is grammatically correct. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically sound and widely used and it serves to express a request or instruction for something to have maximal flatness.