reasonably smooth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably smooth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is fairly smooth, indicating a level of smoothness that is acceptable but not perfect. Example: "The transition between the two scenes in the film was reasonably smooth, allowing the audience to follow the story without confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

But a number of factors likely will serve to damp growth in aggregate demand, helping to foster a reasonably smooth transition to a more sustainable rate of growth and reasonable balance in labor markets.

The New York Times

They can travel over anything that's reasonably smooth.

The New York Times - Travel

Aides to Mr. Bradley say talks between the two camps have been reasonably smooth.

The New York Times

The 178-horsepower 4-cylinder is reasonably smooth and certainly powerful enough to suit most customers.

The New York Times

The Powercube Plus offers a reasonably smooth, extended top-to-bottom frequency response with moderately deep, though somewhat thumpy, lows and detailed highs.

The New York Times - Tech

The result would be to keep the rate of star formation reasonably smooth, stopping a galaxy burning itself out in a mere few billion years.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

I thought it was also smoother and reasonably quiet.

The New York Times

Pretty smooth".

The New Yorker

If the runners feel rough but are reasonably flat, smooth them by rubbing them lightly with fine-grit sandpaper held in a sanding block or wrapped around a flat-sided piece of wood.

The New York Times

As the crown of the pavement system, this layer must be constructed to resist distortion under traffic, be reasonably waterproof, smooth, and provide skid resistance.

European Transport Research Review

The ride was reasonably comfortable on smooth roads, a rarity in Michigan, but noise, especially from the tires, seemed excessive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reasonably smooth" to describe a situation or object that is smooth enough for its intended purpose, even if it's not perfectly flawless. For example, "The negotiations went through a reasonably smooth transition phase".

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably smooth" when something is exceptionally smooth. This phrase suggests a moderate level of smoothness, not perfection. Use stronger adjectives like "flawless" or "seamless" for truly exceptional cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably smooth" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality of being moderately or acceptably smooth, indicating that while not perfectly even, it meets a certain threshold of smoothness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonably smooth" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something that is acceptably smooth, though not necessarily perfect. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. When using "reasonably smooth", ensure it accurately reflects a moderate level of smoothness, and consider alternatives like "moderately even" or "fairly level" depending on the specific context. Avoid overstating the smoothness when something is exceptionally even.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively uniform

Stresses the consistency in texture or appearance, indicating an agreeable degree of regularity.

moderately even

Focuses on the evenness aspect, using "moderately" to indicate a degree of smoothness.

acceptably seamless

Stresses the continuity without abrupt changes, suggesting an adequate level of integration.

fairly level

Emphasizes the levelness with a qualifier of "fairly" to denote approximation.

tolerably continuous

Focuses on uninterrupted progression, with "tolerably" denoting an acceptable level of consistency.

comparatively unjarring

Highlights the absence of shocks or disturbances relative to other possible experiences.

somewhat polished

Shifts the focus to the polished nature, implying a degree of refinement that results in smoothness.

adequately sleek

Highlights a polished and streamlined quality, implying a suitable level of sophistication.

passably unruffled

Highlights the lack of disturbance, with "passably" indicating an acceptable level of calmness.

sufficiently gentle

Emphasizes the mildness of texture, suggesting a degree of calmness and lack of harshness.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonably smooth" in a sentence?

You can use "reasonably smooth" to describe processes, surfaces, or transitions that are generally even and without significant disruptions. For example, "The application process was "reasonably smooth", despite a few minor technical glitches."

What are some alternatives to "reasonably smooth"?

Alternatives include "moderately even", "fairly level", or "acceptably seamless", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "reasonably smooth" a formal or informal expression?

"Reasonably smooth" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a neutral expression that doesn't carry strong connotations of either formality or informality.

What does "reasonably smooth" imply about the quality of something?

It implies that something is sufficiently smooth for its purpose, but not necessarily perfect. There might be minor imperfections, but they don't significantly detract from the overall smoothness.