helps to smooth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "helps to smooth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action that makes something less rough or more even, often in a metaphorical sense, such as improving a process or relationship. Example: "Regular communication helps to smooth any misunderstandings that may arise between team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

All that helps to smooth market wobbles.

The Economist

Instead, they argue that IT helps to smooth the cycle.

The Economist

The explanation for this counter-intuitive result is apparently that the bus lane helps to smooth out traffic flows.

The Economist

This helps to smooth out the week-to-week fluctuations, which are intrinsically quite large when Gallup's data is broken into smaller sub-samples.

The New York Times

Warner Johnson, a 45-year-old Internet entrepreneur who recently started a Web site called Fabsearch.com that gathers travel articles from high-end fashion magazines, suggests that tradition also helps to smooth black-on-black relations.

The New York Times

The four-week moving average of jobless claims, which helps to smooth out weekly variations, ebbed last week to 386,500, from 388,500 the week before, reaching the lowest level since late November.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

These programmes help to smooth out consumption over time.

The Economist

The money serves as a cushion, helping to smooth day-to-day consumption.

The Guardian

Pomade can also help to smooth hair and coax it into sleekness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A 1997 executive order helped to smooth the way for such public-private partnerships.

The New York Times

The inescapable soundtrack of Mussorgsky and Schoenberg does not help to smooth things over.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes, use "helps to smooth" to indicate actions that reduce friction or improve efficiency. For example, "Implementing new software helps to smooth the transition for employees."

Common error

While "helps to smooth" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "eases" or "improves" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "helps to smooth" functions as a verb phrase indicating assistance in making something less problematic or more uniform. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from smoothing traffic flows to economic cycles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "helps to smooth" is a versatile verb phrase that effectively conveys the idea of facilitating a more even or seamless process. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts. It is frequently used in News & Media and Science, maintaining a neutral register suitable for professional communication. While the phrase is common, considering alternatives like "aids in easing" or "assists in streamlining" can enhance writing precision. By avoiding overuse in informal contexts and understanding its specific connotation, writers can effectively utilize "helps to smooth" to convey assistance in mitigating difficulties or irregularities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aids in leveling

Replaces "helps" with "aids" and "smooth" with "leveling", emphasizing the act of making something even.

assists in streamlining

Substitutes "helps" with "assists" and "smooth" with "streamlining", focusing on efficiency and ease.

facilitates the easing of

Replaces the verb phrase with a more formal structure, emphasizing facilitation and easing.

contributes to the calming of

Shifts the focus to reducing turbulence or agitation, suggesting a more peaceful outcome.

supports the flattening of

Highlights the action of making something less varied or uneven, implying a more uniform result.

plays a role in evening out

Emphasizes the contribution to creating a balance or equilibrium.

serves to stabilize

Focuses on maintaining a steady state or preventing fluctuations.

works to alleviate

Highlights the reduction of difficulty or tension, suggesting a more comfortable state.

promotes the balancing of

Emphasizes the encouragement of equilibrium and harmony.

is instrumental in facilitating

Highlights the key role in making something easier or more efficient.

FAQs

How can I use "helps to smooth" in a sentence?

You can use "helps to smooth" to describe how something aids in making a process, relationship, or surface less rough or more even. For example: "Clear communication "helps to smooth" potential conflicts within a team."

What are some alternatives to "helps to smooth"?

Alternatives include "aids in easing", "facilitates the smoothing of", or "assists in streamlining", depending on the specific context.

Is "helps to smooth" formal or informal?

"Helps to smooth" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional and academic writing but might be replaced with simpler language in very informal settings.

What's the difference between "helps to smooth" and "helps to improve"?

"Helps to smooth" implies making something less rough or more even, while "helps to improve"/"helps to improve" suggests enhancing the quality or effectiveness of something. The choice depends on whether you're focusing on reducing friction or enhancing overall performance.