evened out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evened out" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to make something level or balanced, to neutralize differences or inequalities. Example: After a rough start, their performances evened out and they both received equally high marks from the judges.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Play evened out after halftime.

The New York Times - Sports

But "house prices have now evened out", says Holmquist.

Independent

Yes, but things seem to have evened out".

The New York Times

That was evened out over the course of six minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

When the luck evened out in the playoffs, they were 16-4.

The New York Times

But it evened out very well and I found myself £395.93 richer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They haven't evened out for the Mets here, but they keep hustling.

The New York Times - Sports

However, as the financial crisis evened out, so did employers' expectations.

The Guardian

They would not say that the coverage had evened out, but they did not berate reporters.

The New York Times

She says that practicing simple drum patterns on the set in her living room has evened out her bass playing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ollabelle served as house band, playing well through evened-out roots-rock arrangements with spots of light revisionism.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or data, use "evened out" to indicate a stabilization or balance after a period of fluctuation. For example, "After the initial surge, sales figures evened out over the next quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "evened out" when you actually mean that something was simply made flat or smooth. While it can imply a reduction in irregularities, it primarily suggests a balancing of opposing forces or quantities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "evened out" is that of a phrasal verb. It typically functions as the predicate of a clause, indicating a process of becoming level, balanced, or equal. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evened out" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrasal verb that describes a process of equalization or stabilization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct in written English. Its prevalence across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, indicates its broad applicability. While it can be used to simply express that the differences disappeared it's best application resides in equalizing forces. When choosing alternatives, consider "leveled off" or "balanced out", keeping in mind the nuances of each phrase. Remember that while commonly used, using it in contexts where smoothness, not equilibrium, is intended can be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

balanced out

Similar to "evened out", this emphasizes the achievement of equilibrium between opposing forces or elements.

equalized

This term focuses on the act of making things equal or equivalent, often in a more literal or measurable sense.

leveled off

This alternative suggests a stabilization after a period of increase or decrease, implying a flattening out of a trend or quantity.

reached equilibrium

This alternative highlights the attainment of a stable state where opposing forces are in balance.

stabilized

Implies a state of consistency after fluctuations, indicating that something has become steady and unchanging.

became uniform

This phrase describes a state where differences have been reduced, resulting in a consistent or homogeneous condition.

settled down

Suggests a calming or resolution of disturbances, leading to a more stable or predictable situation.

became consistent

Highlights the achievement of regularity or predictability, implying that variations have been minimized.

the discrepancies disappeared

Focuses specifically on the elimination of differences or inconsistencies, suggesting a resolution of conflicting elements.

became commensurate

This option underlines the achievement of proportionality or correspondence, suggesting a balanced relationship between different aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "evened out" in a sentence?

You can use "evened out" to describe a situation where differences have been reduced or balanced. For example, "After a period of volatility, the stock market "stabilized" and prices "equalized" or "evened out"".

What are some alternatives to saying "evened out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "leveled off", "balanced out", or "became uniform" instead of "evened out".

Is it correct to say "things evened out"?

Yes, it's a common and grammatically correct way to express that a situation has become more stable or balanced after a period of change or imbalance. The Ludwig AI also confirms that this is grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "evened out" and "smoothed out"?

"Evened out" implies a balancing or equalization of differences, while "smoothed out" suggests the removal of irregularities or roughness. For instance, you might say "the negotiations "smoothed out" the disagreement", but "the scores "evened out"" during the second half of the game.