far too smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far too smoothly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that occurs with an excessive level of ease or fluidity, often implying that it seems unnatural or suspicious. Example: "The negotiation went far too smoothly, raising suspicions about the intentions of the other party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Science

Books

Arts

Travel

Medicine

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

(I'd worry if I were a Boston fan as well because things are going far too smoothly).

The New York Times - Sports

He moved far too smoothly for Mathieu, whom he has now beaten 10 times out of 10, with his backhand particularly impressive.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For instance, game developers have long complained there are hundreds of different handset models using hundreds of different technologies and far too few in the U.S. smoothly run the software (Java and FlashLite) used to write the most popular mobile games in Europe and Asia.

Forbes

Musically it unfolds far too sedately, with vocal declamation over smoothly contoured orchestral ostinatos, pitched somewhere between recent Philip Glass and the John Adams of The Death of Klinghoffer, as the default musical idiom.

The Guardian - Music

There is a lingering feeling that things have gone a little too smoothly for Locog so far.

The Guardian - Sport

Even Europe, with its push toward renewables, stores only 10% of the energy it produces, far too little to enable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to smoothly replace fossil fuels.

Science Magazine

Things don't go quite as smoothly for the Go! Team (John Peel,11.20pm), who start off sounding far too quiet.

The Guardian - Music

Too smoothly.

The New York Times

It all goes down smoothly, mostly too smoothly.

The New York Times - Books

Far, far, too cheap.

The Economist

"Everything had almost gone too smoothly from the beginning".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far too smoothly", consider the context to ensure the implication of excessive ease is relevant. It's effective when highlighting potential hidden issues or unexpected outcomes due to the lack of friction.

Common error

Avoid using "far too smoothly" when you intend to express genuine satisfaction with a seamless process. The phrase inherently carries a connotation of unease or suspicion. Opt for alternatives like "perfectly smoothly" or "exceptionally well" in positive contexts.

Linguistic Context

"Far too smoothly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It suggests that something happens with an excessive or suspicious level of ease. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, implying a somewhat negative or questioning tone regarding the ease of the action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Far too smoothly" is an adverbial phrase used to express skepticism or concern about something that progresses with excessive ease. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its application in various contexts, primarily in news and media. The phrase suggests that the apparent smoothness might be deceptive or indicative of underlying issues. While grammatically sound, it is advisable to avoid this phrase in positive contexts where genuine satisfaction with a seamless process is intended. Alternatives such as "seamlessly" or "exceptionally well" are more appropriate in such cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively smoothly

Emphasizes the degree to which something is smooth, suggesting it's beyond what is expected or normal.

too effortlessly

Focuses on the lack of effort involved, implying that the ease might be suspicious or undesirable.

suspiciously smoothly

Directly suggests that the smoothness raises doubts or concerns.

deceptively smoothly

Implies that the smoothness hides underlying problems or difficulties.

unusually smoothly

Highlights the atypical nature of the smoothness.

surprisingly smoothly

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the smooth occurrence.

almost too smoothly

Indicates that the level of smoothness is approaching a problematic threshold.

a bit too smoothly

Suggests a slight overabundance of smoothness, implying a potential issue.

rather too smoothly

Similar to "a bit too smoothly", but with a slightly more formal tone.

overly smoothly

Highlights the excessive nature of the smoothness, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "far too smoothly" in a sentence?

You can use "far too smoothly" to describe a situation that progresses with an unusual or suspicious level of ease. For example: "The negotiation went "far too smoothly", raising concerns about hidden agendas."

What's a less suspicious way to describe something that goes smoothly?

Instead of "far too smoothly", consider using phrases like "seamlessly", "without a hitch", or "exceptionally well" to convey a positive sense of smoothness without implying suspicion.

Is it always negative to say something went "far too smoothly"?

Yes, the phrase inherently implies a negative connotation, suggesting that the ease is either deceptive or masks underlying issues. If you intend to express genuine satisfaction, avoid this phrase.

Are there specific situations where using "far too smoothly" is most appropriate?

This phrase is particularly effective in contexts where you want to highlight potential risks or concerns associated with a process that lacks expected challenges, such as negotiations, business deals, or even sporting events when an outcome appears "far too easily" achieved.