levelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "levelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something has been made flat or even, or when referring to a past action of leveling something. Example: "After the construction crew finished their work, the ground was levelled to prepare for the new building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His father died in the second world war and the rest of his family was killed in an earthquake that levelled Ashgabat in 1948.

The Guardian

A bizarre own-goal by the Hearts captain, Danny Wilson, set Killie on their way and two goals by Kris Boyd after Dale Carrick had levelled for the struggling visitors seemed to put the home side out of sight.

The Guardian - Sport

Turnbull replied that it was Jones who was undermining the Abbott government and "doing the work of the Labor party", a charge not usually levelled at the Sydney announcer who is an ardent supporter of the prime minister.

The Guardian

There was nothing wrong with Pearson's strike though as the former Celtic man levelled the scores.

The Guardian - Sport

But his fiercest criticism was levelled at Noyce's relationship with his child protagonist.

The Guardian - Film

This lack of statistical transparency has also been a focal point of criticism levelled at Pisa and indeed the OECD.

The Guardian

Accusations of this sin of omission have been levelled at Bergoglio.

The Guardian

Case in point: the below tweets levelled at music site Stereogum and Ben Myers, writing for the Guardian.

The Guardian - Music

The construction union and the federal opposition levelled the criticism, as they argued the legal manoeuvres signalled a tough new approach that could be taken against any worker engaging in unprotected industrial action.

The Guardian

It has been a persistent accusation levelled at the main Westminster parties that their MPs all talk and sound the same.

The Guardian

That said, the jury is still out on whether growth has reached enough escape velocity to see a self-sustained recovery, as the first confidence indicators for the second quarter levelled off a bit, now that oil prices have increased and the euro exchange rate strengthened".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "levelled" in the context of accusations, ensure the target and the accusation are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The criticism was levelled at the company's marketing strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "levelled" interchangeably with "leveled" in all contexts. "Levelled" is the British English spelling, while "leveled" is the American English spelling. Choose the spelling appropriate to your target audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "levelled" is as a past participle or past tense verb. It signifies an action that has already occurred, often involving making something flat or directing accusations, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "levelled" is a versatile word primarily used as a past tense verb or past participle, indicating an action that has been completed. Whether referring to physical flattening or the act of making accusations, it's common in news and media, as validated by Ludwig. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Keep in mind spelling variations, with "levelled" being British English and "leveled" being American English. By understanding its function and common contexts, you can effectively use "levelled" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flattened

Emphasizes the act of making something flat or even.

evened out

Highlights the process of making something uniform or consistent.

made equal

Focuses on achieving a state of equality or balance.

brought down

Implies a reduction in height or status.

directed at

Indicates pointing or aiming something towards a specific target.

aimed at

Similar to "directed at", but with a more intentional connotation.

equalized

Focuses on the act of making things equal.

razed

Implies complete destruction, making something level with the ground.

demolished

Similar to razed, but with a focus on forceful removal or destruction.

tore down

Suggests forceful and often rapid destruction of something.

FAQs

How do I use "levelled" in a sentence?

"Levelled" can refer to making something flat or to directing accusations or criticisms. For example, "The ground was levelled before construction began" or "Accusations of corruption were levelled against the politician".

What can I say instead of "levelled" when talking about accusations?

You can use alternatives like "directed at", "aimed at", or "brought against" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "levelled" or "leveled"?

"Levelled" is the British English spelling, while "leveled" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but usage depends on the target audience and regional writing conventions.

What's the difference between "levelled" and "flattened"?

"Levelled" often implies a more precise or controlled action of making something flat, whereas "flattened" can suggest a broader or more forceful action. For example, an earthquake might flatten a city, while construction workers level a building site.