to smooth or level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to smooth or level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of making a surface even or flat, often in contexts related to construction, landscaping, or editing. Example: "Before laying the tiles, make sure to smooth or level the surface to ensure a proper fit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recent deep alluvial soils can be smoothed or graded with little risk of greatly damaging soil quality but the older, mature and layered alluvial or residual soils may be difficult to smooth, level or grade to a set slope without serious structural damage.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

For subfloors that require a lot of work to smooth, flatten, or level, installing an underlayment is the easiest way to make this correction.

WikiHow

The measured fabric will need to be laid down on a smooth or level surface while you're painting.

WikiHow

Here's what we get under the word aequora (aequor, aequoris, neuter noun): [AEQUUS] a smooth or level surface, expanse, surface; a level stretch of ground, plain; inmensumne noctis aequor confecimus?

The New Yorker

Use a screed (a board or strip of metal) to smooth and level the concrete.

WikiHow

Use the garden hoe bottom to smooth and level the bottom of the stool, if necessary.

WikiHow

Use the rasp to smooth and level the bottom of the horse's hoof.

WikiHow

It does not seem to be necessary to smooth to a level which matches the sphere size.

EJNMMI Research

In comparison to smooth level concrete, the kinetic requirements of the start-up phase increased substantially across the other surfaces.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Working time accounts thus help companies to smooth employment levels and adjust working hours over the business cycle.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The subfloor needs to be smooth and level to ensure the overlaid parquet floor is level.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to prepare a surface, consider whether both smoothness and levelness are required. If only one is necessary, specify that quality to avoid unnecessary work.

Common error

Avoid using "to smooth or level" when only one action is truly needed. Be precise. For example, if you're laying flooring on a concrete slab, the surface primarily needs to be level. If it's already smooth, there's no need to smooth it again.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to smooth or level" functions as a directive or descriptive phrase indicating actions taken to prepare a surface. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts like construction and surface preparation, where both actions are potentially relevant.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to smooth or level" serves to describe actions aimed at creating an even surface, useful in contexts from construction to digital imaging. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically sound, however, the phrase's overall frequency is nonexistent, suggesting targeted alternatives like "to even out", "to flatten", or "to make flush" might provide more impactful clarity. Although the semantic spectrum of the phrase is well defined, writers should carefully consider whether "smooth" or "level" sufficiently captures the goal to prevent over-specification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to even out

Focuses on making something uniform, removing inconsistencies rather than specifically smoothing or leveling.

to flatten

Implies pressing something to make it less high or uneven, focusing on reducing height differences.

to make flush

Describes bringing two surfaces to the same level, often used in construction or carpentry.

to grade evenly

Specifically refers to leveling land or a surface with a consistent slope.

to make uniform

Emphasizes consistency across a surface, not necessarily related to smoothness or levelness.

to make plane

To create flat surface.

to regularize

Bring to a condition of conformity

to balance

Bring into equilibrium.

to align

Bring into line or alignment.

to adjust

Alter or regulate something so as to achieve accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "to smooth or level" in a sentence?

You can use "to smooth or level" when describing the process of making a surface even and without bumps. For example, "Before laying the foundation, it's important to "smooth or level" the ground."

What's the difference between "to smooth" and "to level" a surface?

"To smooth" means to remove irregularities from a surface, making it even to the touch. "To level" means to make a surface horizontal, ensuring it's not tilted. You might "smooth or level" a surface depending on what you need to build on top of it.

What can I say instead of "to smooth or level"?

Alternatives include "to even out", "to flatten", or "to make flush", depending on the specific context and the desired outcome. For example, in construction, you may need to "make uniform" a floor to prepare it for tiling.

Is it redundant to say "to smooth or level"?

Not necessarily. While the actions can overlap, they address different qualities of a surface. You might smooth a surface without making it perfectly level, or level it without making it perfectly smooth. The phrase is used when both actions are potentially required.