a rate of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a rate of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to the rate at which something is happening. For example, "The average rate of inflation was 2% in 2020."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They suggest a rate of 6.7%.

The Economist

Too low a rate of success.

The New York Times

A rate of 2% is expected.

The Economist

That's a rate of every two days.

The Washington Post

The characters are scrolling at a rate of 2.5 cps.

Cornell University

All infections were in girls, with a rate of 7.4%.

Stanford University

"The workload is going up at a rate of knots.

The Guardian

Such a rate of destruction would kill five million now.

The Guardian

Medical aid gets funded at a rate of around 58%.

The Guardian

Data collection is conducted at a rate of 8Hz.

Cornell University

We're going at a rate of 2.5 a day.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rate of", ensure the unit of measurement is clearly stated (e.g., "a rate of 5% per year", "a rate of 100 compressions a minute").

Common error

Avoid using "a rate of" when a simple ratio is more appropriate. "Rate" implies change over time, while "ratio" describes a static comparison. For example, instead of saying "the rate of men to women is 2:1", say "the ratio of men to women is 2:1".

Linguistic Context

"A rate of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, specifying the speed, frequency, or proportion at which something occurs. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showcasing its frequent presence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rate of" is a versatile phrase used to express speed, frequency, or proportion, as validated by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples. The phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, functioning primarily as a prepositional phrase. It finds frequent application across diverse fields, including news, academia, and science, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is a common and effective way to provide quantitative information. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify the unit of measurement and avoid confusing it with "a ratio of", which describes a static relationship rather than a change over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the speed at which

Emphasizes the velocity or pace of an occurrence.

the frequency of

Highlights how often something occurs.

the proportion of

Focuses on the ratio or percentage of a whole.

the level of

Indicates the degree or intensity of something.

the incidence of

Refers specifically to the occurrence of events, often negative ones.

the tempo of

Implies a rhythm or pace, typically in music or activity.

at a velocity of

Stresses the speed and direction of movement.

at a pace of

Highlights a steady and consistent rhythm.

with a frequency of

Rephrases "frequency" using "with" for emphasis.

with an incidence of

Rephrases "incidence" using "with" for emphasis.

FAQs

How do I use "a rate of" in a sentence?

Use "a rate of" to specify the speed, frequency, or proportion at which something occurs. For instance, "The population is growing at "a rate of" 2% per year" or "Data collection is conducted at "a rate of" 8Hz".

What are some alternatives to "a rate of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the speed at which", "the frequency of", "the proportion of", or "the level of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "at a rate of" instead of "a rate of"?

Both "a rate of" and "at a rate of" are grammatically correct, but "at a rate of" is generally preferred when describing the manner in which something is happening. "The workload is going up at "a rate of" knots" is more common than "The workload is going up "a rate of" knots".

What's the difference between "a rate of" and "a ratio of"?

"A rate of" typically refers to a change over time, while "a ratio of" describes a static relationship between two quantities. For example, population growth is expressed as ""a rate of" 2% per year", while the number of men to women in a company might be expressed as "a ratio of 3:1".