a fierce pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fierce pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a speed or intensity that is aggressive or vigorous, often in the context of work, competition, or physical activity. Example: "The team worked at a fierce pace to meet the project deadline, pushing themselves to deliver high-quality results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

At the other end, Mellouli is setting a fierce pace, with Lurz and Giannotis looking strong just behind him.

The Guardian - Sport

He scored at a fierce pace, as he always does, but without undue risk until he was dismissed.

The Guardian - Sport

So they started at a fierce pace, with Felipe Melo and Semih Kaya jumping into tackles which they were fortunate to stay on the pitch for.

Independent

With Scintillula having set a fierce pace, William Buick appeared keen to play his cards late on the market-leader, but she ranged up menacingly in the straight.

Independent

Osana tried to do a Make A Stand and lead all the way - he set up a fierce pace only to give way at the top of the hill.

The Guardian - Sport

The remnants of an early escape were chased down; Armstrong sent his U.S. Postal teammates Tyler Hamilton and Kevin Livingston to the front, a fierce pace was set, and what the French call la grande lessive (the big wash — or, perhaps, the great rinse) began, as rider after rider was slowly dropped.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The team found that anthropogenic methane emissions began to increase in 1999, especially in northern Asia, probably a result of the fierce pace of growth of China's economy.

Science Magazine

That will not be easy to achieve, for too often in the past at summer tournaments England have shown the effects of a hard domestic season played at fierce pace.

Independent

He ran 90 miles a week, a light load for a marathoner, but he ran at a fierce training pace of five minutes a mile.

The New York Times - Sports

The early parcours lays down the kind of consistent, steady climbing where Sky were so dominant in last year's Tour de France, and could allow them to set a fierce early pace in the lead up to the first serious ramps.

The Guardian - Sport

The Jamaican quartet featured 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and bronze medallist Veronica Campbell-Brown, but they could not match the fierce pace of the world champions.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing progress in a project or competition, use "a fierce pace" to convey both speed and determination. For example, "The company maintained a fierce pace of innovation, releasing new products quarterly."

Common error

Avoid using "a fierce pace" to describe actions that don't involve speed or intensity. "Fierce" should imply a rapid or forceful progression, not just general intensity. Instead of saying "a fierce debate", consider "a heated debate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fierce pace" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the manner in which something is progressing or moving. Examples from Ludwig, such as describing athletes or technology advancements, illustrate this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Sport

36%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fierce pace" is a versatile expression that effectively conveys speed and intensity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and sports reporting. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the speed and force of the action being described. Remember to use alternatives like "a rapid tempo" or "a blistering speed" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig's analysis of various sources confirms its frequent occurrence and applicability across different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a blistering speed

Uses "blistering" to intensify the speed, indicating extreme quickness.

a furious rate

Replaces "fierce" with "furious", suggesting a high degree of energy and intensity.

a rapid tempo

Replaces "pace" with "tempo", focusing on the speed or rate at which something occurs.

a vigorous surge

Suggests a powerful and sudden increase in activity or speed.

a breakneck velocity

Emphasizes the dangerously fast nature of the pace.

a torrid speed

Similar to "blistering", suggesting very high heat or passion in the rate of activity.

a relentless drive

Emphasizes the continuous and determined nature of the effort.

an intense rhythm

Substitutes both "fierce" and "pace", highlighting the strong and regular pattern of activity.

a frenetic momentum

Shifts focus to the chaotic and energetic force driving the action.

a driving impetus

Highlights the force that initiates or sustains the rapid activity.

FAQs

How can I use "a fierce pace" in a sentence?

Use "a fierce pace" to describe something moving or progressing with great speed and intensity. For example, "The runners set "a fierce pace" from the start of the race".

What can I say instead of "a fierce pace"?

You can use alternatives like "a rapid tempo", "a blistering speed", or "a furious rate" depending on the context.

Is "a fierce pace" formal or informal?

"A fierce pace" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news reporting and sports commentary. Using alternatives such as "a vigorous surge" may be better suited for formal writing.

What does "a fierce pace" imply?

"A fierce pace" implies not only speed but also intensity and determination. It suggests that the subject is moving quickly and with great effort or force.