smooth the way to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smooth the way to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing making a process easier or facilitating progress towards a goal. Example: "The new policies are designed to smooth the way to a more efficient workflow in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But using the in-house broker did not smooth the way to closing.

The New York Times

Analysts say commitments like these are intended to smooth the way to approval for such a deal.

The New York Times

But is far from clear whether Mansoor's death will smooth the way to an end to the conflict.

The Guardian

NATO and the European Union had demanded the change, which lawmakers hope will smooth the way to an invitation to join the defense alliance.

The New York Times

In 2005, a judge ruled that Mr. Shaik had a corrupt relationship with Mr. Zuma, which included bribes meant to smooth the way to lucrative government contracts.

The New York Times

The surprise deal reached between the US prosecuting authorities and O'Dwyer's legal team could potentially be a trailblazing example that may smooth the way to resolving other protracted extradition cases involving financial claims.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Mr. Obama smoothed the way to his meeting with the pope by inviting editors and reporters for Roman Catholic publications to the White House last week.

The New York Times

But late this afternoon the four lawmakers, appearing together, called today's session valuable and said they had smoothed the way to go forward.

The New York Times

The hope was that Israel would find a reliable security partner in this rebooted version of the Palestinian Authority, smoothing the way to a two-state solution.

The New York Times

Money and connections also smoothed the way to an extra child, but in cities, where control was easiest, the one-child family became the norm.

The New York Times

So far, the Bush administration has agreed to provide some intelligence information to the Colombian government while smoothing the way to provide replacement parts for helicopters used in counterdrug operations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smooth the way to" when you want to emphasize that certain actions or measures are being taken to make a future process or outcome more achievable or less problematic. It is often used in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "smooth the way to" when you simply mean to begin a task or start a process. The phrase specifically implies that there are potential obstacles that need to be addressed to ensure success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smooth the way to" functions as a connector phrase, indicating the purpose or intent behind an action. It describes actions taken to facilitate or ease progress toward a specific objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smooth the way to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate actions or measures intended to facilitate progress toward a specific goal. Predominantly found in news, business, and science contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone. When writing, use this phrase to convey intentionality and preparation in mitigating potential challenges. While versatile, remember to avoid using it when merely initiating a task. Consider alternatives like "facilitate the path to" or "pave the way for" to subtly alter the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facilitate the path to

Emphasizes easing progress, similar to the original phrase but uses "path" as a metaphor.

pave the way for

Implies creating conditions that enable future actions or developments.

ease the transition to

Focuses on reducing difficulty during a change or shift.

expedite the process of

Highlights accelerating a procedure or set of actions.

streamline access to

Focuses on making something more efficient and accessible.

clear the hurdles for

Suggests removing obstacles to make something easier.

aid the advancement of

Highlights providing assistance to further the progress of something.

promote the achievement of

Focuses on encouraging the successful completion of something.

foster the development of

Implies nurturing and supporting the growth of something.

assist in realizing

Focuses on helping to bring something into actuality.

FAQs

How can I use "smooth the way to" in a sentence?

You can use "smooth the way to" to describe actions taken to facilitate a process or achieve a goal, such as, "The new policies are designed to "smooth the way to" a more efficient workflow."

What are some alternatives to "smooth the way to"?

Alternatives include "facilitate the path to", "pave the way for", or "ease the transition to", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "smooth the way to" formal or informal?

While understandable in many contexts, "smooth the way to" leans toward a formal register. In casual settings, simpler phrases like "help with" or "make easier" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "smooth the way to" and "pave the way for"?

"Smooth the way to" suggests addressing existing obstacles, while ""pave the way for"" implies creating entirely new opportunities or possibilities.