a mean rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mean rate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving statistics, mathematics, or discussions about averages over time or distance. Example: "The mean rate of speed for the journey was calculated to be 60 miles per hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Given that ebullition is highly sporadic and spatially heterogeneous, we reported ebullition as a mean rate.

Nature

The routine calculates - or is given - a mean rate from which it deduces a minimum and maximum valid count rate.

Harvard University

Bonds in contact with the ambience burn at a mean rate which depends on cluster size.

Chemical Engineering Science

The Mean Parcel Size has decreased over a period of 230 years from 1.08 ha to 0.64 ha, at a mean rate of −0.26% year−1.

Land Use Policy

During the same period, the Number of Owners per 100 ha has risen from 17.50 to 79.66, at a mean rate of 0.61% year−1.

Land Use Policy

Groundwater has been depleted at a mean rate of 4.0 cm of water per year averaged over the northern Indian states of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, equivalent to a net loss of 109 km3 of groundwater during that period.

Nature

We observed an overall accumulation of soil organic carbon irrespective of vegetation type, with a mean rate of 28.0 g C m−2 yr−1 across Tibetan permafrost regions.

Nature

The metropolitan area sank at a mean rate of roughly 5 millimetres a year between 1951 and 1995, according to a USGS study, much of that subsidence occurring in the city's formerly uninhabited backswamps.

The Guardian

For altitudes around 100 km, lines of constant number density descended at a mean rate of 1 4 km per 10 years.

Advances in Space Research

The time-encoding electronics and the DAQ system have been designed to handle events from the 128 detector pairs at a mean rate of 2 MHz per detector pair with low deadtime and with minimal helicity-correlated systematic errors.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Measurements and Main Results: Of the 66 patients, 36% required an epinephrine infusion at a mean rate of 1.45 ± 2.05 μg/min intraoperatively to maintain hemodynamic stability; 25% required inotropic support for <12 hours in the intensive care unit.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing statistical data, clearly define the units of measurement for the "mean rate" to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whether it is "per day", "per year", or another relevant time frame.

Common error

Avoid using "mean rate" interchangeably with median or mode. Ensure that the context specifically calls for an average calculated by summing values and dividing by the number of values, as opposed to the middle value (median) or most frequent value (mode).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mean rate" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it denotes an average value or measurement, commonly used in quantitative analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

89%

Academia

7%

News & Media

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mean rate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly in scientific and academic fields. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to express an average value, simplifying complex data for analysis and comparison. While alternatives like "average pace" or "typical frequency" exist, the key is to maintain precision and clarity, avoiding interchangeability with the median or mode. Use this phrase when you need to provide a concise and objective summary of rates or measurements, ensuring the units of measurement are clearly defined for context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a usual speed

Substitutes "rate" with "speed", emphasizing the velocity of an action or process.

an average pace

Replaces "rate" with "pace", which emphasizes speed or progress over time.

a typical frequency

Substitutes "rate" with "frequency", highlighting how often something occurs.

an average level

Uses "level" instead of "rate", suitable when describing intensity or concentration.

a general ratio

Substitutes "rate" with "ratio", useful when expressing a proportional relationship.

a standard measure

Employs "measure" instead of "rate", which is appropriate for quantifiable values.

a common proportion

Uses "proportion" instead of "rate", highlighting the relative size or extent of something.

an expected value

Replaces "mean rate" with "expected value", suitable in probability and statistics contexts.

a normal tempo

Uses "tempo" instead of "rate", which is relevant in music or rhythmic contexts.

an ordinary rhythm

Replaces "rate" with "rhythm", which refers to a recurring pattern or beat.

FAQs

How is "a mean rate" calculated?

A mean rate is calculated by summing all the individual rates within a dataset and then dividing by the total number of rates. This provides an average rate over the entire dataset.

What's the difference between "a mean rate" and an average rate?

The terms "a mean rate" and an average rate are often used interchangeably. The "average rate" is a more general term, while the "mean rate" specifically refers to the arithmetic mean, calculated by summing all values and dividing by the number of values.

In what contexts is "a mean rate" typically used?

The phrase "a mean rate" is commonly used in scientific, statistical, and financial contexts to describe the average speed, frequency, or proportion of something over a given period or sample. Examples include population growth, chemical reaction speeds, or financial returns.

What are some alternatives to using "a mean rate" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "average pace", "typical frequency", or "standard measure". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.