level with the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "level with the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used figuratively to describe something that is considered to be on the same level as something else. For example, you could say: "He worked hard to bring himself to a level with the ground, so he could start from scratch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It's a stone marker level with the ground.

The Washington Post

He cranks the screws until the foundation flattens out, level with the ground.

The Guardian

He who had once been a benefactor to the Lacedaemonians, afterwards laid their walls level with the ground, wasted their country, and in the end changed and destroyed the whole frame of their government.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The back of the black granite memorial will be level with the ground, and the front will gradually slope down to a depth of 10 feet where the walls meet.

The New York Times

In the thick of battle, the bombardier had to adjust for the speed of the plane, the speed and direction of the prevailing winds, and the pitching and rolling of the plane, all while keeping the bombsight level with the ground.

The New Yorker

While the design can be further fine-tuned to create better response time and stability, the basic functionality of a self-stabilizing platform has been achieved.? The device can determine the platforms angle orientation and can effectively respond to changes in the angles to keep the platform level with the ground.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Most of the 766 square meters of living space is spread over two levels, with the ground level divided into two wings.

The New York Times

Presently two towers were levelled with the ground and two curtains overthrown, and some of Perdiccas's soldiers, getting drunk, made a wild night attack on the walls of the citadel.33 Memnon's men noticed the awkwardness of these attackers and issuing forth themselves in considerably larger numbers routed the Macedonians and killed many of them.

University of Chicago

The top level would be on grade with the ground floor of the apartments above the stores and available only to those residents.

The New York Times

The position is by no means a strong one, being nearly on a level with the surrounding ground.

University of Chicago

Fill the hole level with the adjacent ground.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, ensure that using "level with the ground" accurately conveys the intended meaning of alignment or height equivalence. This phrase is especially useful when precision matters.

Common error

Avoid using "level with the ground" in contexts where a metaphorical or abstract sense is intended without ensuring the context makes this clear. Overusing the phrase literally can detract from more nuanced descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "level with the ground" is that of a prepositional phrase. It often functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the state or position of a noun. Ludwig's examples show it commonly describing physical objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "level with the ground" is a versatile prepositional phrase primarily used to describe spatial relationships, indicating alignment or equivalence in height with the ground. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is widespread across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general instructions. While grammatically sound and very common, it's essential to ensure accurate conveyance of its intended meaning, avoiding overuse in non-literal senses. Consider alternatives such as ""flush with the ground"" or "at ground level" for nuanced expressions. This phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse audiences and writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flush with the ground

Implies a perfect alignment or smoothness with the ground surface.

even with the ground

Indicates a state of equality in height or position relative to the ground.

at ground level

Specifies a location or position that is on the same plane as the ground.

on the same plane as the ground

Emphasizes the shared planar surface with the ground.

parallel to the ground

Highlights the parallel orientation relative to the ground, focusing on direction.

horizontally aligned with the ground

Explicitly describes the horizontal alignment concerning the ground.

in line with the ground

Suggests that something is positioned directly along the same line as the ground.

aligned with the earth

Uses "earth" instead of "ground" offering a slightly more formal or broader reference.

coplanar with the ground

A more technical term emphasizing the shared plane with the ground surface.

abutting the ground

Indicates that something is touching the ground directly along its edge.

FAQs

How is "level with the ground" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "level with the ground" often describes the position of an object or surface that is at the same height as the surrounding ground. For example, "The stone marker was "flush with the ground"".

What are some alternatives to saying "level with the ground"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""flush with the ground"", "at ground level", or "even with the ground".

Is it better to say "level to the ground" or "level with the ground"?

"Level with the ground" is generally preferred as it indicates a shared plane or height. "Level to the ground" can sometimes be used, but it is less common and might imply something is being brought to a level position relative to the ground.

Can "level with the ground" be used in a figurative sense?

While primarily used to describe physical alignment, "level with the ground" can be used figuratively to describe starting over or returning to a basic state, similar to being "back to square one".