a little faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little faster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting someone or something to increase speed or efficiency slightly. Example: "Could you please run a little faster to catch the bus?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

FAST AND FASTER -- Fast food just got a little faster.

The New York Times - Tech

I'm a little faster.

The New York Times - Sports

The river flowed a little faster now.

The New Yorker

I breathed a little faster.

The New York Times - Travel

The drying kinetic is a little faster.

Applied Thermal Engineering

This is a little faster,'" Nimmo said.

The New York Times

He's a little faster than I thought".

The New York Times - Sports

We grew up a little faster.

The New York Times

They'll dry out a little faster.

Harvard Business Review

Things moved along a little faster after that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

HERR PELCKMANN: Go on witness, a little faster.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by substituting "a little faster" with alternatives like "slightly quicker" or "a bit more rapidly" to enhance the flow and interest of your writing.

Common error

While "a little faster" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive or too informal. Opt for phrases like "somewhat more quickly" or "slightly more expeditiously" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little faster" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically modifying verbs to indicate a slight increase in the speed or pace of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its general grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

13%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little faster" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a desire for a slight increase in speed or pace. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, its appropriateness depends on the formality of the situation; more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional writing. When using this phrase, remember that it conveys a gentle nudge for increased pace rather than an urgent demand. To avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement, consider incorporating synonyms like "slightly quicker" or "a bit more rapidly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly quicker

Indicates a minimal degree of increased speed.

somewhat speedier

Expresses a moderate increase in speed.

a bit more rapidly

Emphasizes the rate of increase in speed.

marginally faster

Highlights a very small difference in speed.

a shade faster

Suggests a subtle and barely noticeable increase in pace.

slightly accelerated

Focuses on the act of speeding up slightly.

a touch faster

Implies a delicate and minor increase in speed.

a hair faster

Uses a colloquial expression to denote a tiny increment in speed.

a tad faster

Informal way of saying 'slightly faster'.

just a bit faster

Directly communicates a small need for increased speed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little faster" to request a slight increase in speed or pace. For example, "Could you please walk "a little faster"?" or "The process needs to run "a little faster" to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to saying "a little faster"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "slightly quicker", "somewhat speedier", or "a bit more rapidly".

Is it appropriate to use "a little faster" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "a little faster" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "somewhat more quickly" or "slightly more expeditiously".

How does "a little faster" compare to "much faster"?

"A little faster" indicates a slight increase in speed, while "much faster" implies a significant or substantial increase. The choice depends on the degree of acceleration you want to convey.