flattened out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flattened out" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been made flat or smooth. Example: The construction crew used heavy equipment to flatten out the dirt before pouring the concrete foundation. In this sentence, "flattened out" is used to describe the action of making the dirt flat and even in order to create a solid base for the foundation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We just flattened out".

The New York Times

"Now it has flattened out".

The New York Times

"He just flattened out," Velazquez said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have flattened out," Manley admits.

The Guardian - Tech

She flattened out the melody of her songs.

The New Yorker

I'm stunned, a little flattened out, maybe ashamed of myself.

The New Yorker

Gasoline consumption has flattened out in recent years.

The New York Times

When I asked for more, he flattened out".

The New York Times - Sports

"But he just flattened out at the end.

The Guardian - Sport

"We created nine schools that really flattened out the structure.

The Guardian

"When we hit the quarter pole, he just flattened out," Velazquez said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends in data, use "flattened out" to indicate that a period of increase or decrease has stopped, and the trend has become relatively stable. For example, "After a period of rapid growth, sales figures flattened out in the last quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "flattening" when you mean to indicate that a trend has already stopped changing. "Flattening" suggests the process is still ongoing, whereas "flattened out" indicates the trend has reached a stable state. For example, say "The curve has flattened out", not "The curve is flattening" if you want to express that it's not changing anymore.

Linguistic Context

Flattened out functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of something becoming level, even, or ceasing to increase or decrease sharply. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing trends, physical objects, and emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flattened out" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe a leveling or stabilization of something, whether it's a physical object, a statistical trend, or an abstract concept. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread applicability across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and scientific sources, and alternative phrases such as ""leveled off"" or ""stabilized"" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "flattened out" to describe a completed action and avoid confusing it with "flattening", which describes an ongoing process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leveled off

This alternative suggests a gradual stop to a rise or fall, similar to "flattened out" but with an emphasis on reaching a stable level.

evened out

This phrase implies a reduction in irregularities or differences, resulting in a more uniform state.

stabilized

Focuses on achieving a state of equilibrium or resistance to change after a period of fluctuation.

plateaued

Describes a state where progress or increase has stopped, forming a horizontal level.

become constant

Emphasizes the unchanging nature of a value or trend after a period of variation.

reached a steady state

Implies the attainment of a balance where inputs and outputs are equal, maintaining a stable condition.

became uniform

Indicates the achievement of a consistent and homogenous condition across a surface or set of values.

smoothed out

This suggests the removal of irregularities and roughness, leading to a more even texture or progression.

balanced out

Suggests that opposing forces or factors have reached equilibrium, creating a stable and even distribution.

settled down

Implies a reduction in activity or volatility, leading to a calmer and more stable state.

FAQs

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

Use "flattened out" to describe something that has become level or has stopped increasing or decreasing. For example, "The company's profits "leveled off" after the initial boom."

What's the difference between "flattened out" and "flattening"?

"Flattened out" describes a completed action, where something has become flat or stable. "Flattening" describes an ongoing process. For example, "The dough was flattened out" versus "The dough is flattening".

What can I say instead of "flattened out" when referring to a trend?

Alternatives include "leveled off", "plateaued", or "stabilized" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the curve flattened out" in the context of a graph?

Yes, "the curve flattened out" is a common and correct way to describe a graph where the rate of change has decreased to near zero, indicating stability or a lack of further increase or decrease.