compacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compacted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been compressed or made denser, often in reference to materials or information. Example: "The soil was compacted to ensure stability for the construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

At the end of each day the compacted refuse cell is covered with a layer of compacted soil to prevent odours and windblown debris.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The waste material MSW and C&D debris is spread out, compacted with heavy machinery, and covered each day with a layer of compacted soil.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mud was too compacted to dig down far.

The Economist

With 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of the delta's lightly compacted levees in constant need of repair, it could take only one big earthquake to cause flooding on a scale not seen since Hurricane Katrina devastated the low-lying wards of New Orleans.

The Economist

Here is the poet-minister in his garden:In this section Days late, dollars short Stories of zealotry Consciously fruitful Come what may The pursuit of evil Funny man Reprints Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses, A box where sweets compacted lie, My music shows ye have your closes, And all must die.

The Economist

Hydrogen is a gas, which means that it has to be compacted somehow if a usable amount is to be carried.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Manhattan's compact geography, points out Pfahler, means many artistic projects begin with chance encounters.

The Guardian - Music

The centre of the compact walled town is full of gorgeous boutiques and unusual jewellery stores (in case gifts are in order), pretty cafes with flower-filled gardens (should the Mediterranean sun make an appearance) and tiny bars with plenty of private nooks and crannies.

The Guardian - Travel

An annual trim with shears and feeding with lime will keep it compact.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eugenie Harvey, director of the 10 10 campaign, which uses this compact, spartan two-storey workspace as its HQ, points to the list with evident pride.

The Guardian

He tweeted this morning that yesterday's events (the political crisis in the Netherlands, and the results of the first round of the French presidential election) mean the rules are already unravelling: — Nouriel Roubini (@Nouriel) April 24 , 2012EZ Fiscal Compact DOA even before ratification.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing materials like soil or waste, use "compacted" to indicate increased density and stability. For example, "The "compacted" soil provided a solid foundation for the building."

Common error

While both terms relate to reducing volume, "compacted" often implies a more permanent or structural change, especially in materials. Use "compressed" when referring to temporary reductions in size or volume, as in "compressed" air.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "compacted" is as a past participle of the verb "compact", often used in passive constructions or as an adjective describing something that has been compressed. Ludwig AI provides examples where it modifies nouns like "refuse", "soil", and "snow".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

41%

News & Media

41%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compacted" functions primarily as a past participle and adjective, describing the state of something that has been compressed to increase density or reduce volume. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in describing materials like soil, waste, and snow, often in environmental and engineering contexts. The term maintains a neutral to formal register, commonly found in encyclopedias and news media. While the term is grammatically correct, be mindful to use "compacted" for cases involving structural change rather than mere temporary compression. When you want to suggest an alternative, consider "compressed", "condensed", or "densified" depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compressed

Focuses on the action of squeezing something into a smaller space.

compressed together

Emphasizes the result of pressing multiple components into a closer configuration.

condensed

Implies reducing something in size or volume, often through a change of state.

compressed tightly

Highlights the firmness and density of the compressed material.

densified

Emphasizes the increase in density as a result of compression.

consolidated

Suggests uniting or merging into a stronger or more stable form.

packed down

Informal way of indicating pressure has been applied to make a surface firmer.

pressed firmly

Emphasizes the application of significant force to achieve compression.

solidified

Implies changing from a liquid or gas to a solid state under pressure.

reduced in size

A general term indicating a decrease in physical dimensions.

FAQs

How is "compacted" used in environmental science?

In environmental science, "compacted" often describes soil or waste that has been compressed to reduce volume and increase density, like in landfills where waste is spread and "compacted" in thin layers.

What's the difference between "compacted" and "compressed"?

"Compacted" often suggests a more permanent change in structure or density, especially with materials like soil, while "compressed" typically refers to a temporary reduction in volume, such as "compressed air".

Can you give an example of using "compacted" in construction?

In construction, the term "compacted" is used to describe soil or other materials that have been pressed down to increase their density and stability. For example, "The "compacted" gravel formed a solid base for the road."

What are some synonyms for "compacted" when describing soil?

When describing soil, you can use terms like "densified soil", "consolidated soil", or "packed soil" as alternatives to "compacted".