a faster rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a faster rate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the speed or frequency of an action or process, often in contexts like science, economics, or performance metrics. Example: "The new software update allows the system to process data at a faster rate than before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Wages are increasing at a faster rate.

The Economist

Fewer posties doing more work, at a faster rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Europe, though, is growing at a faster rate.

The Guardian - Business

It may also result in a faster rate of improvement.

Harvard Business Review

For black non-Hispanics, starting at a higher mortality rate, but falling at a faster rate.

University of California, Berkeley

The pay for more social-intensive jobs is increasing at a faster rate as well.

Harvard University

Some believe that engineered salmon will continue to grow at a faster rate in the wild.

Harvard University

Women's wages did not increase at a faster rate in treatment firms as we were expecting.

Columbia University

At mass merchants, a higher standard of success -- and a faster rate of sale -- is expected.

The New York Times

"But if I move back in with my parents, I'll save at a faster rate".

The New York Times

With new business also falling, employment declined at a faster rate.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

specify "growing at a faster rate per year".

Common error

Don't use "a faster rate" without providing a reference point. Always clarify what the rate is faster than. For example, instead of "Sales increased at a faster rate", specify "Sales increased at a faster rate than last quarter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a faster rate" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to an action or process. Ludwig examples show it describing increases in wages, sales, growth, or decline, indicating changes in speed or frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a faster rate" is a versatile expression used to indicate an increase in the speed or frequency of an event or process. Grammatically correct and very common, as supported by Ludwig, it finds application across diverse domains, including news, academia, and science. To ensure precision, specify the object of measurement and comparison. While alternatives like "a quicker pace" or "an accelerated pace" exist, "a faster rate" remains a clear and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more rapid tempo

Offers a direct synonym with a slight variation in word choice.

an accelerated pace

Implies a more significant increase in speed or momentum.

a quicker tempo

Focuses specifically on the speed of music or rhythmic activities.

a faster cadence

Highlights the rhythm or sequence happening more quickly.

a swifter velocity

Emphasizes the speed of movement or progress with a slightly more formal tone.

a stepped-up rate

Suggests a planned or intentional increase in speed.

an enhanced rate

Suggests an improvement or boost in the speed or frequency of something.

a hastened rate

Emphasizes a forced or rushed increase in speed.

a higher gear

Figuratively implies moving to a more accelerated speed or intensity.

a more expeditious rate

Implies efficiency and promptness in achieving a faster speed.

FAQs

How can I use "a faster rate" in a sentence?

Use "a faster rate" to describe an increase in speed or frequency, such as "The company is growing at "a faster rate" than its competitors".

What can I say instead of "a faster rate"?

You can use alternatives like "a quicker pace", "an accelerated pace", or "a more rapid tempo" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a faster rate" or "faster rate"?

Both can be correct, but "a faster rate" is typically used when comparing to a specific baseline or standard. "Faster rate" without the article "a" may be used in more general statements.

What's the difference between "a faster rate" and "a higher rate"?

"A faster rate" refers specifically to speed or frequency, while "a higher rate" can refer to intensity, cost, or other measurable quantities. For example, interest accumulates at a higher rate, whereas production happens at "a faster rate".