smooth the process

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'smooth the process' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to an action or situation that requires a lot of steps or complexity that you want to simplify. For example, you might say "We hope to smooth the process of onboarding new employees by introducing an automated system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Although the compassionate release decision carried no legal preconditions, he knew that abandoning the appeal would smooth the process.

The Guardian

If you are considering putting your pet on a plane, here are a few tips to smooth the process.

The New York Times - Travel

In that spirit, City Hall has tried to smooth the process for obtaining permits that producers must go through.

The New York Times

D8 The Arts MEMORIAL PLANS -- A group of architects, artists and business people is trying to smooth the process of creating a trade center memorial.

The New York Times

"We will leave the EU by 2019 and would enter this transitional period which should smooth the process as we negotiate a new deal," she said.

The Guardian

The administration also hopes to invest in repatriation centres in the children's countries of origin, in order to smooth the process.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The earlier you arrive the smoother the process will be".

The Guardian

Officials involved in the transaction emphasized the importance of working together in smoothing the process.

The New York Times

For Spearing, the key to smoothing the process of opening the school was "getting our people on the ground quickly", rather than trying to arrange things remotely, and "having a lot of native language speakers involved.

The Guardian

This also smooths the process of working with partners.

TechCrunch

Where are the specific areas we should expect to see the greatest change? 1. Better transactions- At the end of the day, commercial real estate is about closing deals the smoother the process the better.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before starting to "smooth the process", define clear goals and metrics to measure success. This will help you stay focused and track progress effectively.

Common error

Avoid making changes to "smooth the process" without consulting stakeholders. Unilateral decisions can lead to resistance and unintended consequences. Gather feedback and incorporate diverse perspectives to ensure a smoother transition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smooth the process" functions as a verb phrase acting as a direction or goal. It typically involves taking action to make something easier or more efficient, as seen in Ludwig's examples related to obtaining permits or integrating technology.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smooth the process" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions taken to make a procedure or task easier and more efficient. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, but it also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. Several alternative phrases exist, such as "facilitate the procedure" or "streamline the workflow", offering nuanced ways to express similar intentions. When using "smooth the process", it's crucial to solicit feedback from stakeholders to avoid unintended consequences and ensure that improvements are well-received and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facilitate the procedure

Focuses on making the procedure easier, highlighting facilitation.

simplify the steps

Emphasizes reducing complexity within the steps involved.

streamline the workflow

Highlights efficiency and optimization of the workflow.

expedite the procedure

Focuses on accelerating the procedure, making it faster.

ease the implementation

Highlights reducing difficulty during the implementation phase.

improve the efficiency

Focuses on making the efficiency higher.

optimize the course

Focuses on improving a particular course.

boost the efficacy

Emphasizes improving the efficacy of the course.

uncomplicate the matter

Focuses on removing complications.

make the passage easier

Highlights the ease of passage, focusing on a journey or transition.

FAQs

How can I "smooth the process" of onboarding new employees?

You can "smooth the process" by providing a structured onboarding program, assigning mentors, and offering clear documentation and training resources.

What's the difference between "streamline the process" and "smooth the process"?

"Streamline the process" implies making it more efficient by removing unnecessary steps, while "smooth the process" suggests making it easier and more seamless, even if it doesn't necessarily become faster.

Are there any risks associated with trying to "smooth the process"?

Yes, oversimplification can remove important checks and balances, and focusing solely on speed can compromise quality. It's important to strike a balance when aiming to "smooth the process".

What can I say instead of "smooth the process"?

You can use alternatives like "facilitate the procedure", "simplify the steps", or "streamline the workflow" depending on the specific context.