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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
like it flat
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "like it flat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a preference for something to be in a flat or level state, often in contexts like food, surfaces, or designs. Example: "For my pizza, I like it flat with a thin crust."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Fish That Don't Get Away When it comes to water, some people like it bubbly, while others like it flat.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Throughout this estate and the scores like it, flats have been bought up, then sold on and sold on again, so that as few as half of them may be owned by the council.
News & Media
You can answer "yes," "no," "sometimes" or "unknown" to questions like "Is it flat?" and "Is it heavier than a pound of butter?" 20Q will sometimes stop to taunt you, displaying messages like "You can't beat me" or "You thought you were tricky".
News & Media
He likes to push it flat and then pop it up again.
News & Media
For those who like it thin, flat, and super crispy.
News & Media
so it looks like it's flat on two sides and sticking up in the middle Fold all the corners to meet with the center Fold the diagram together.
Wiki
"If its rocky, then it's a question of what the micro-topography is like - is it flat, is it rocky, are there lots of surface crenations [scalloped-edged formations]?" The ocean floor in the search zone had not been extensively surveyed, Professor Burkill said, mainly due to an absence of commercial interest in the remote region.
News & Media
The T580 ($999) is a convertible tablet, which means it can open like a standard laptop with a keyboard, or you can twist around its 10-inch screen and lay it flat like a tablet.
News & Media
To spatchcock a poussin, simply cut the bird up the backbone with a heavy knife or a pair of strong scissors, and open it flat, like a book.
News & Media
On and on the pornography of his life unspooled, and sometimes he'd deliver it flat, like a machine, and other times he'd catch himself, and he'd cry awhile.
News & Media
Set up a new sock and lay it flat like the way that was described in the backpack but with heel down.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing a preference for a specific texture or consistency (e.g., in cooking or design), use "like it flat" to clearly convey the desired evenness and lack of three-dimensionality.
Common error
Avoid using "like it flat" when describing preferences that relate to emotional states or abstract concepts; instead, reserve it for physical characteristics or arrangements.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
Expressing a preference. "Like it flat" functions primarily to express a preference for a physical characteristic – flatness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct. Examples illustrate its use in contexts such as food, surfaces, and designs.
Frequent in
News & Media
30%
Wiki
25%
Science
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
10%
Reference
8%
Encyclopedias
7%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "like it flat" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a preference for flatness or levelness. As confirmed by Ludwig, its application spans various contexts, including descriptions of food, surfaces, and designs. While not overly common, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. For alternative expressions, consider "prefer it level" or "want it smooth" to convey similar meanings. Use "like it flat" judiciously to accurately describe physical characteristics and preferences.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
prefer it level
Focuses on the desire for a level surface or state, changing the verb and adjective.
want it smooth
Emphasizes the preference for a smooth, even texture, altering the descriptive adjective.
favor it even
Highlights a preference for evenness, which relates to flatness but is more general.
enjoy it planar
Uses a more technical term, 'planar', to describe flatness, implying a formal or scientific context.
desire it flush
Indicates a wish for something to be perfectly level with an adjacent surface, often used in construction or design.
appreciate it flattened
Focuses on the action of flattening and the appreciation of the result.
prefer a level surface
Shifts the focus to the surface itself, specifying the desired characteristic.
want a smooth texture
Changes the focus to the texture being smooth, not necessarily flat.
enjoy a planar arrangement
Uses more formal language to describe enjoying a planar layout.
favor an even distribution
Focuses on even distribution rather than flatness, implying a more general preference.
FAQs
What does "like it flat" mean?
The phrase "like it flat" expresses a preference for something to be in a flat or level condition. This can apply to physical objects, such as preferring a pancake to be thin and flat, or more abstractly, such as wanting a surface to be even.
When is it appropriate to use "like it flat"?
It is appropriate to use "like it flat" when describing a preference for flatness or evenness in a tangible item or surface. For example, "For my pizza, I "like it flat" with a thin crust."
Are there alternatives to saying "like it flat"?
Yes, you can use alternatives such as "prefer it level", "want it smooth", or "desire it flush" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.
Is "like it flat" grammatically correct?
Yes, "like it flat" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to express a preference for something being flat or level.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested