in a smooth way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in a smooth way' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase typically describes a manner of doing something that is free of obstacles or roughness. For example, you could say, "He moved through the crowd in a smooth way, never stopping to bump into anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

— ANNIE LOWREY Bernanke's aptly strange metaphor for ending extraordinary purchases: Trying to "land the ship in a smooth way onto the aircraft carrier".

The New York Times

He summed it all up with a strange metaphor: ending the extraordinary policies is like trying "to land the ship in a smooth way onto the aircraft carrier".

The New York Times

"We have to have access to talk about how the city can function in a smooth way," said a prominent residential developer who attended the Four Seasons dinner.

The New York Times

This can be done in a smooth way by Theorem 2.28.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

When there are only two slices contending for the resources, the controller adjusts the resource allocation in a smooth way.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

We assume that the signal of a physical object detected by a sensor node will change in a smooth way.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It's quite schizophrenic actually, but it's done in such a smooth way, and it fits the story so perfectly".

The New York Times

It's still in beta but offers a smooth way of discovering new Twitter applications, sliced up in 5 categories and with a visual preview of what to expect.

TechCrunch

The aim of the proposed controller(s) is to restore in a very smooth way the frequency to its nominal value in the shortest time possible whenever there is any change in the load demand etc.

Electric Power Systems Research

"We expected major difficulties, but everything went on in a surprisingly smooth way," Russia's leading submarine designer, Igor Spassky, told Russian television.

The Guardian

"I think the club handled it in a very smooth way," he said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or transition, use "in a smooth way" to emphasize the absence of difficulties or disruptions. This can be particularly effective in business or technical writing, where clarity and efficiency are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "in a smooth way" when a more precise adjective or adverb would better capture the specific characteristic of the action. For example, instead of saying "The data was transferred in a smooth way", consider using "The data was transferred efficiently" or "The data was transferred seamlessly" if either of those terms better reflect the actual process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a smooth way" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action is carried out without difficulty, interruptions, or abrupt changes. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

47%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a smooth way" is a grammatically sound and relatively common adverbial phrase used to describe actions performed without difficulty or disruption. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys ease and efficiency across various contexts, from formal news reports to scientific publications. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more specific alternatives like "seamlessly" or "efficiently" for greater impact. The examples showcase that it can be found in a variety of authoritative resources. Use it confidently to depict seamless processes and effortless execution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effortlessly

Emphasizes the lack of effort required; focuses on ease and naturalness.

seamlessly

Highlights the absence of visible transitions or disruptions; stresses continuity.

with ease

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of difficulty involved in the process.

without problems

Directly indicates the absence of issues or complications.

efficiently

Emphasizes the effectiveness and lack of wasted resources in the process.

fluently

Suggests a natural and uninterrupted flow, similar to speaking a language well.

gradually

Focuses on the slow and steady progression, emphasizing lack of sudden changes.

without a hitch

Emphasizes the complete absence of unexpected problems or obstacles.

in an even manner

Highlights consistency and lack of unevenness or disruptions.

painlessly

Focuses on the lack of negative experience or discomfort during the process.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in a smooth way" to sound more sophisticated?

Consider alternatives such as "seamlessly", "effortlessly", or "fluently" depending on the context. These options add nuance and precision to your writing.

What's the difference between "in a smooth way" and "easily"?

"In a smooth way" emphasizes the absence of friction or disruption in a process, while "easily" highlights the lack of difficulty. The former focuses on the process itself, while the latter focuses on the effort required.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "in a smooth way"?

While grammatically correct, using "in a smooth way" can sometimes be less impactful than using a more specific adverb. If you can replace it with a single word like "seamlessly" or "efficiently" and retain the meaning, that is usually a stronger choice.

How to use "in a smooth way" in a sentence?

You can use "in a smooth way" to describe how an action is performed, for example: "The transition was handled "in a smooth way", minimizing any disruption to our customers."