a rate of four

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rate of four" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a specific measurement, frequency, or speed, often in contexts like finance, science, or statistics. Example: "The interest is calculated at a rate of four percent annually."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Some even spot porn on Facebook at a rate of four for a penny.

The New York Times

Much plains farming relies on the vast Ogallala aquifer, which is dropping at a rate of four feet per year.

The New York Times

The combination of term limits for 35 City Council members and a generous public campaign finance system of matching funds at a rate of four to one for small contributions has swelled the number of potential candidates this year.

The New York Times

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush accompanied dreamy projections of economic growth with an actual number: "There is not a reason in the world why we cannot grow at a rate of four per cent a year.

The New Yorker

Artillery fire from the big guns on the base began at around eleven o'clock and continued until about three o'clock, at a rate of four or five rounds every ten minutes.

The New Yorker

Demand for the PSU's services is growing fast; it now has bases in 14 courts in 11 cities, and is expanding at a rate of four new offices a year.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The magazine also said American homeowners are adding decks at a rate of three million a year.

The New York Times

They have been disappearing a a rate of nine thousand a month.

The New Yorker

In the U.K., independent bookstores are closing at a rate of two a week.

The New Yorker

Companies were shedding jobs at a rate of seven hundred thousand a month.

The New Yorker

Brits are cancelling their timeshare plans in droves, at a rate of six a day.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rate of four", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured. For instance, specify "a rate of four inches per hour" for rainfall or "a rate of four percent" for interest.

Common error

Avoid using "a rate of four" without a clear unit of measure. Saying just "the rate is four" can be ambiguous; always specify the units, such as "four miles per hour" or "four new cases per day".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rate of four" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and commonly used. It quantifies how frequently or rapidly something occurs, which can be tied with verbs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rate of four" is a commonly used phrase to express a specific quantity, frequency, or speed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds usage across news, scientific, and general contexts. To use it effectively, be sure to specify the units being measured and the context in which the rate is applicable. The phrase's utility lies in its ability to provide clear and precise information, enhancing understanding and communication. Similar phrases include "a frequency of four", "a pace of four", or "a level of four", offering slight variations for particular scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequency of four

Replaces "rate" with "frequency", emphasizing how often something occurs.

a pace of four

Substitutes "rate" with "pace", focusing on the speed at which something happens.

a level of four

Uses "level" instead of "rate", indicating a specific degree or standard.

a measure of four

Replaces rate with measure, focusing on quantifiability.

an incidence of four

Uses "incidence" instead of "rate", highlighting the occurrence of something.

a velocity of four

Substitutes "rate" with "velocity", specifying the speed in a certain direction.

a tempo of four

Replaces rate with tempo which is suitable when speed is relevant.

a proportion of four

Uses "proportion" instead of "rate", focusing on the relative amount.

a count of four

Substitutes rate with count which is suitable when a enumeration matters.

a multiple of four

Replaces rate with multiple which is suitable when the quantity is relevant.

FAQs

How can I use "a rate of four" in a sentence?

You can use "a rate of four" to describe quantities, such as "The company is expanding at "a rate of four" new offices a year" or "The interest is calculated at "a rate of four" percent annually".

What phrases are similar to "a rate of four"?

Similar phrases include "a frequency of four", "a pace of four", or "a level of four", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of measurement or occurrence.

When is it appropriate to use "a rate of four"?

It is appropriate when you want to specify a quantity relative to another quantity (e.g., time, distance, or volume) and the proportion is four. For example, “The machine processes data at "a rate of four" gigabytes per second.

Which is correct, "a rate of four" or "at a rate of four"?

Both are correct, but "at "a rate of four"" is more common when describing how something is changing or being done, whereas ""a rate of four"" is used when assigning a quantity.