a lot faster than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot faster than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to compare the speed of one thing to another. For example, "This new bike is a lot faster than my old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cancer moves a lot faster than that".

The New York Times

Computers can do this a lot faster than human beings.

Cornell University

Eggers: Yeah, it's moving a lot faster than I thought.

Stanford University

I thought I'd be a lot faster than I was.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought I was a lot faster than I was".

The New York Times - Sports

It looks a lot faster than the Google maps.

The New York Times

Eighteen years passes a lot faster than you think.

The New York Times

"Cindy's work was growing a lot faster than mine".

The New Yorker

"It's running a lot faster than it would have.

The New York Times

The pass rush is a lot faster than in practice".

The New York Times - Sports

But that's still a lot faster than the older printers.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing speeds, ensure that the units of measurement are consistent and clearly stated for both subjects being compared to avoid ambiguity. For instance, use "miles per hour" for both to clearly illustrate that one is "a lot faster than" the other.

Common error

Avoid using "a lot faster than" in contexts where speed isn't the primary concern, such as describing progress or development. In these cases, consider alternatives like "more advanced than" or "more rapidly developed than" to better reflect the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot faster than" primarily functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that something occurs with greater speed relative to something else. Ludwig's examples showcase its common use in comparing performance, development, or change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lot faster than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase. It serves to emphasize a significant difference in speed between two subjects. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous real-world examples, indicates its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and general web content. Although its informality might not suit formal writing, it effectively conveys a clear and appreciable difference in speed. Ludwig AI also confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantially faster than

Indicates a noteworthy increase in speed.

much more rapidly than

Uses "rapidly" instead of "fast" to convey speed.

a great deal more quickly than

Highlights the extent of the speed difference.

significantly quicker than

Emphasizes a more substantial difference in speed.

noticeably speedier than

Indicates that the difference in speed is easily observed.

considerably more rapid than

Uses more formal language to indicate a notable difference in speed.

appreciably more high-speed than

Focuses on the high-speed nature of the comparison, using a slightly more technical tone.

substantially swifter than

Employs less common vocabulary to express a significant speed advantage.

far more expeditious than

Uses a formal word to suggest efficiency and speed.

markedly more accelerated than

Highlights the acceleration aspect of speed with a formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "a lot faster than" in a sentence?

Use "a lot faster than" to compare the speeds of two things, indicating a significant difference. For example, "This new computer is "a lot faster than" my old one."

What are some alternatives to "a lot faster than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "significantly quicker than", "much more rapidly than", or "considerably more rapid than".

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

While grammatically correct, "a lot faster than" is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "significantly faster than".

How does the meaning of "a lot faster than" compare to "slightly faster than"?

"A lot faster than" indicates a substantial difference in speed, while "slightly faster than" suggests only a minor difference. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to emphasize.