a firm pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a firm pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a steady and determined speed or rhythm, often in the context of walking, running, or working. Example: "She maintained a firm pace during her morning jog, ensuring she completed her route on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Summer weather helped drive a strong upturn in retail sales in July, adding to the likelihood that the economic recovery will have continued at a firm pace into the third quarter.

The Guardian - Business

Chris Williamson, of data provider Markit, said: "Summer weather helped drive a strong upturn in retail sales in July, adding to the likelihood that the economic recovery will have continued at a firm pace into the third quarter.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Push the sheet into saw at a firm but steady pace.

WikiHow

Well, if you believe the Web-content delivery firm will continue to grow at a fast pace, maybe.

Forbes

Keep a steady pace.

WikiHow

The Woman in the Picture by Katharine McMahon - W&N, £8.99 *** McMahon's tale of the 1920s lawyer Evie Gifford packs in a great deal about battered wives, corrupt upper-class husbands, thwarted love affairs and the aftermath of the Great War, an event still impinging on people's lives, and it moves at a firm but speedy pace.

Independent

And this brings me to Orlando Hernández, who has a Gumby-like body and a firm sense of pacing.

The New York Times - Arts

There are already signs that the regime is seeking to keep a firm grip on the pace of change.

The Guardian

"I'm a firm believer that when the pace is slow, you keep the closers in the race.

The New York Times

THE STAFF Amiable veterans with a good sense of pacing and a firm grasp of the cuisine.

The New York Times - Travel

Once you have a firm grip on the opposite person lift your hand up and down at an acceptable pace.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing economic recovery or progress, use "a firm pace" to suggest steady and reliable advancement, indicating stability and positive momentum.

Common error

While "firm" emphasizes stability, overuse can dilute the impact. Vary your language by using stronger verbs or adverbs to convey speed and consistency instead of relying solely on adjectives to describe the "pace".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a firm pace" typically functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, describing the manner in which an action is performed or a process unfolds. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it often describes economic recovery or physical activity, indicating the quality of progress.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a firm pace" is a phrase used to describe a steady and consistent rate of progress, often in economic or physical contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although its frequency is rare. It is mostly used in news articles and general descriptive writing. Alternatives include "a steady pace" and "a brisk stride". When employing this phrase, aim to convey reliability and controlled progression, but be mindful of overuse by balancing it with alternative phrasing and stronger verbs to add variety and impact to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a steady tempo

Replaces 'pace' with 'tempo', often used in musical or rhythmic contexts.

a consistent rate

Substitutes 'pace' with 'rate', emphasizing the regularity of progress.

a brisk stride

Replaces 'firm pace' with 'brisk stride', focusing on the act of walking with energy.

a determined speed

Highlights the resolve behind maintaining the speed, replacing 'firm pace' with 'determined speed'.

a measured gait

Implies a deliberate and controlled manner of walking, swapping "firm pace" with "measured gait".

a regular rhythm

Emphasizes the repetitive and consistent nature of the movement, using 'rhythm' instead of 'pace'.

a stable velocity

Employs a more technical term 'velocity' to denote a constant speed.

an unwavering progress

Shifts focus to the advancement made, rather than the speed, replacing "firm pace" with "unwavering progress".

a constant momentum

Highlights the continuous and sustained driving force, differing from "firm pace" by emphasizing the drive.

a persistent cadence

Uses 'cadence' to underscore the rhythmic and repetitive quality, replacing "firm pace" with "persistent cadence".

FAQs

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

You can use "a firm pace" to describe steady progress or movement. For example, "The economy continued at "a firm pace" throughout the quarter" or "She maintained "a firm pace" during the marathon to conserve energy."

What's a good alternative to "a firm pace"?

Alternatives include "a steady pace", "a consistent rate", or "a brisk stride" depending on the context. Each of these offers a slightly different nuance.

Is "a firm pace" formal or informal?

"A firm pace" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's more likely to appear in news reports, business analyses, or descriptive writing rather than casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "a firm pace"?

It is appropriate to use "a firm pace" when you want to convey that something is progressing steadily and reliably without being too fast or too slow. It suggests a sense of control and stability in the rate of progress.