has been leveled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been leveled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been made flat or equal, often in a metaphorical sense, such as in discussions about competition or fairness. Example: "After the recent reforms, the playing field has been leveled for all participants in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ever since (and apparently before) no passer-by has been leveled by a falling flagpole.

The New York Times

Now more players seem to believe that the playing field has been leveled.

The New York Times - Sports

Much of the criticism for the disappointing results has been leveled at the banks.

The New York Times

"The global playing field has been leveled," he added, "and our company is now better able to compete".

The New York Times

Mr. Boyce took strong exception to Mr. Wirajuda's statement that "an entire country has been leveled to the ground".

The New York Times

"If anything has been leveled at Warner Brothers over the years, it's that there weren't enough female characters," he said.

The New York Times

The same criticism has been leveled against the practice of diagnosing, and in some cases treating, congenital defects in unborn children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That does not work so well when everything on the lot has been leveled and the property line is anybody's guess.

The New York Times

Criticism, however, has been leveled against the explanation of myths in terms of only one theme and in terms of the "repression" of conscious ideas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Criticism that the contracting is kept secret and favors Halliburton has been leveled not just by Democrats, but also by some business executives.

The New York Times

That same charge has been leveled by opponents of a $3.75 billion transportation proposal that will appear on the ballot tomorrow in New Jersey.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been leveled" when you want to convey the idea that something has been made flat, equal, or that criticism has been directed at someone or something. Ensure the context clearly indicates which meaning is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "has been leveled" only in literal contexts related to physical leveling. The phrase is often used metaphorically to describe situations where inequalities have been addressed or when criticism is directed at something. Using the phrase literally could make it sound unnatural, especially in contexts where you could use simpler terms such as "flattened".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been leveled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action (leveling) has been performed on a subject. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts involving physical flattening and metaphorical equalization or criticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been leveled" is a versatile passive construction used to describe physical flattening, equalization, or the act of directing criticism. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequent appearance in news and media, as well as encyclopedias, confirms its widespread applicability. While the phrase can be used literally, it is more often employed metaphorically to describe situations where inequalities have been addressed or when criticism is aimed at a particular target. Remember to consider both the literal and figurative meanings when using this expression to ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been flattened

Focuses on the action of making something flat or even.

has been demolished

Emphasizes the complete destruction of something.

has been razed

Implies that something has been completely destroyed, often by fire or force.

has been equalized

Highlights the act of making something equal or balanced.

has been made uniform

Focuses on achieving a state of sameness or consistency.

has been made flush

Implies bringing something to the same level or plane.

has been brought down

Suggests that something superior or elevated has been reduced to lower level.

has been annihilated

Emphasizes complete destruction, often with violent connotation.

has been eradicated

Highlights the complete removal or elimination of something.

has been evened out

Suggests that something irregular or uneven has been smoothed or balanced.

FAQs

How can I use "has been leveled" in a sentence?

You can use "has been leveled" to describe physical landscapes, such as "The forest has been leveled to make way for new construction" or to describe situations where inequalities have been addressed, such as "The playing field "has been leveled" with the new regulations".

What does it mean when the playing field "has been leveled"?

When the playing field "has been leveled", it means that previous advantages or disadvantages have been removed, creating a fairer situation for all participants. It implies that everyone now has an equal opportunity. In business, it can mean that new policies or technologies have made the market more competitive for smaller players.

Which is correct: "the criticism has been leveled at" or "the criticism has been leveled to"?

"The criticism has been leveled at" is the correct usage. "Leveled at" indicates the target or direction of the criticism. "The criticism "has been leveled to"" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What are some alternatives to saying criticism "has been leveled"?

Alternatives include "criticism "has been directed"", "criticism "has been aimed"", or "criticism "has been lodged"". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.