to be smiled upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be smiled upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea of receiving favor or approval from someone or something, often in a positive or benevolent context. Example: "The new policy was smiled upon by the community, as it aimed to improve local services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Surely the eccentricities of genius were to be smiled upon.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, I imagine making these healthy changes to your lifestyle will be smiled upon.

Huffington Post

Chances are it won't be smiled upon, but the smart money says that you guys find a way to slurp (SHARE) songs with other iPhone users, and chances are they'll be a lot easier to find than one of those "one million" Zunes in the wild (and certainly won't be bogged down by songs that expire after a few listens).

TechCrunch

Every time, we want to feel we are smiled upon like no generation before and that we have escaped history's cycles of boom and bust.

Forbes

The good news is that going abroad to work in science is smiled upon from all fronts.

Science Magazine

This is the driver who is smiled upon by the ghosts of Gilles Villeneuve and Ayrton Senna.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, the Hopi Indians say that being smiled upon by more than one of God's faces is very confusing and can lead to alcoholism".

The New York Times

Certainly it was smiled upon by Gucci, cast in Mr. Bissinger's account as a willing enabler of his need to shake off a repressive upbringing, the stylistic puritanism foisted on heterosexual white men, and the creep of middle age.

The New York Times

Revelry is smiled upon by everyone here, except a gaggle of placard-wielding missionaries from the local Bible college, who come on Saturdays to the cavernous dance and drinking hall Seville Quarter (130 East Government Street; 850-434-6211) to ragainstinsthehe temptation of drink.

The New York Times

Seneca exhorted, "Kindly remember that he whom you call your slave sprang from the same stock, is smiled upon by the same skies, and on equal terms with yourself breathes, lives, and dies".

Wikipedia

Shirts with obscure pics that cover the shirt are smiled upon.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be smiled upon" when you want to convey a sense of benevolence or approval from a higher power, fate, or a group of people, as opposed to simple agreement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "to be smiled upon" can sound overly poetic or informal in certain professional or academic contexts. Opt for more direct alternatives like "to be approved" or "to be favorably regarded" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be smiled upon" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to describe something or someone receiving favor, approval, or blessing. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct. It suggests a positive regard or endorsement from an external source.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be smiled upon" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating favor, approval, or good fortune. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, media, and general writing, though it may be considered less appropriate for strictly formal or scientific contexts where more direct language is preferred. Alternatives such as "to be regarded favorably" or "to be approved" can be used in more formal settings. The phrase carries a nuance of benevolence or blessing that sets it apart from simpler expressions of agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be looked upon with favor

Highlights the act of someone looking at the subject with kind regard.

to be regarded favorably

Highlights the positive assessment or view held by someone.

to meet with approval

Emphasizes the encounter or experience of gaining approval.

to be well-received

Focuses on how something is accepted or welcomed by others.

to receive approval

Focuses on the act of getting approval rather than the benevolent aspect of being smiled upon.

to gain favor

Highlights the act of acquiring a positive preference or liking.

to find acceptance

Stresses the act of achieving acceptance or being agreed with.

to be in good graces

Indicates a state of being liked or approved by someone in a position of authority.

to be blessed

Implies a divine or higher power's positive influence or favor.

to have luck on one's side

Emphasizes the presence of good fortune rather than approval.

FAQs

How can I use "to be smiled upon" in a sentence?

You can use "to be smiled upon" to indicate that something is viewed with favor or approval. For example, "The project was "to be smiled upon" by the committee after the revisions were made."

What's a more formal way to say "to be smiled upon"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "to be regarded favorably", "to be approved", or "to meet with approval" as alternatives to "to be smiled upon".

When is it appropriate to use "to be smiled upon"?

"To be smiled upon" is best used when you want to suggest a sense of blessing, good fortune, or approval that is more than just a simple agreement. It's often used in contexts where fate, luck, or a higher power are involved.

Is "to be smiled upon" interchangeable with "to be favored"?

While both phrases indicate a positive reception, "to be favored" /s/to+be+favored generally implies a more active preference or choice, whereas "to be smiled upon" suggests a more passive or benevolent approval.