As we accelerated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As we accelerated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that occurs while increasing speed, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As we accelerated down the highway, the scenery blurred past us in a rush of colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As we accelerated up an expressway ramp in Brooklyn, the gurgles from the diesel motor coalesced into a singular, brassy thrum.

The New York Times

I sat in the co-pilot's seat and watched a screen in front of us as we accelerated shakily along the runway, then lifted into the air.

The New Yorker

On my screen, as I pretended to be Hamilton, Vettel would appear larger and closer each time we approached a sharp turn, only to scurry away again as we accelerated out.

The New Yorker

Bradshaw refired the engine and I did all I could to keep my balance as we accelerated to 40 mph, zig-zagging to outrun the spitting wall of whitewater.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Even as we accelerate this transition, our economy still has to rely on oil and gas," he said.

The Guardian

"Even as we accelerate this transition, our economy still has to rely on oil and gas," he said in the address.

The Guardian

"This, coupled with his deep experience in building new and innovative business opportunities, make him the ideal person to lead IPC as we accelerate our multi-platform strategy.

The Guardian

"The new models will give us a tailwind as we accelerate out of the crisis," BMW's chief financial officer, Friedrich Eichiner, said, chatting with a group of journalists at a dinner Wednesday.

The New York Times

As we accelerate our pace of globalization, certain countries will deploy all sorts of ways to fence themselves off….

TechCrunch

"As we accelerate our position in wearables, we will build upon this foundation to deliver products that bring people greater utility and value".

BBC

"As we accelerate our transformation into a digital telco we see lots of opportunities to empower consumers," Jose Luis Gamo, CEO at Telefonica Multinational Solutions, said in a statement.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "As we accelerated" to clearly indicate a simultaneous increase in speed and the unfolding of another event or action. This can create a sense of momentum in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "As we accelerated" when you actually mean "Because we accelerated". "As" implies simultaneity, while "because" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. Ensure your sentence reflects the correct logical connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "As we accelerated" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating when another action occurs. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows examples where the phrase introduces a situation unfolding during the act of speeding up. It modifies the main clause by providing temporal context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "As we accelerated" functions as an adverbial clause, adding temporal context to a sentence by describing an action that occurs simultaneously with an increase in speed. Ludwig's analysis, together with real-world examples, confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it's suitable for various writing styles, offering a vivid way to convey motion and simultaneity. Remember to use it when you want to clearly link an event with the process of speeding up and avoid confusing it with cause-and-effect relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

While we sped up

Replaces "accelerated" with "sped up", maintaining the meaning but using a more informal verb.

As we gained speed

Focuses on the increase in speed rather than the action of accelerating.

As our velocity increased

Replaces 'speed' with 'velocity' (more precise term) while retaining the core meaning.

While we picked up speed

Uses the idiomatic phrase "picked up speed" to convey acceleration.

As we moved faster

A simpler, more direct way of saying "as we accelerated".

As our pace increased

Shifts the focus to the rate of progress, not just physical speed.

When we began to accelerate

Rephrases the structure to emphasize the beginning of the acceleration process.

As momentum grew

Focuses on building momentum, implying an increase in speed or force.

As the tempo increased

Applies to situations where tempo or rhythm increases, metaphorically similar to acceleration.

As the rate increased

More abstract; refers to any rate increasing, not necessarily speed.

FAQs

How can I use "As we accelerated" in a sentence?

Use "As we accelerated" to describe an action happening concurrently with an increase in speed. For example, "As we accelerated, the city lights blurred into streaks of color".

What's a more formal alternative to "As we accelerated"?

A more formal alternative might be "As our velocity increased" or "Concurrently with our acceleration".

How does "As we accelerated" differ from "After we accelerated"?

"As we accelerated" suggests a simultaneous action, while "After we accelerated" implies the action occurred following the increase in speed.

Can "As we accelerated" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "As we accelerated" can be used metaphorically to describe an increase in the pace or intensity of a non-physical process, such as "As we accelerated our marketing efforts, sales began to climb".