a shade faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shade faster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly quicker or more rapid than another thing. Example: "The new model of the car is a shade faster than the previous version, making it more appealing to buyers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Official statistics published on February 9th revealed that India's GDP rose by 7.5% in 2014, a shade faster than China's over the same period.

The Economist

Official statistics published on February 9th revealed that India's GDP rose by 7.5% in 2014, a shade faster than China's economy managed over the same period (see chart).

The Economist

JAPAN'S economy rebounded at an annual rate of 5.7% in the first quarter of this year, a shade faster than America's.

The Economist

Figures released on February 9th showed that India's GDP rose by 7.5% year on year in the fourth quarter of 2014, a shade faster than China's.

The Economist

The going at Ascot is now good all round, though the likelihood is that it remains a shade faster on the straight course than on the round course.

The Guardian - Sport

She took the opening section a shade slower than most, the finale a shade faster, and she and the conductor finished with a triumphant flourish.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

EPMD, who saw early rap as a shade too fast and obvious, slowed down their beats to create a sedated dance music that will seem familiar to fans of current artists like Odd Future and Lil B. Then, on Aug. 24, the Cold Crush Brothers play East River Park.

The New Yorker

These ferns thrive in warm, humid places, especially when given shade, fast-draining soil and frequent showers.

The New York Times

His first timed effort of the session sees him slot in second fastest, a shade under two tenths of a second off Lewis Hamilton's best.

BBC

Take the shade off its bracket as you would for a shade that rolls up fast.

WikiHow

Newberry was timed in 4.68, the fastest time among offensive linemen and just a shade quicker than Schad.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shade faster" when you want to indicate a small or barely noticeable difference in speed or rate. It's more nuanced than simply saying "faster".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a shade faster" leans towards the informal. In professional or academic writing, consider more precise or formal alternatives like "marginally faster" or "slightly quicker" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shade faster" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It quantifies the degree to which something is faster, indicating a slight or marginal difference in speed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Sports

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shade faster" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a slight or marginal difference in speed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While generally acceptable, it leans towards the informal and may not be suitable for highly formal contexts. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing predominantly in news and media, as well as on wikis. For more formal settings, alternatives like "slightly quicker" or "marginally faster" may be more appropriate. When employed correctly, this phrase adds a layer of nuance and precision to descriptions of relative speed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly quicker

Emphasizes a marginal difference in speed using "quicker" instead of "faster".

a tad faster

Uses "tad" to indicate a small degree of difference in speed.

just a bit faster

Replaces "shade" with "bit" to denote a small increment in speed.

marginally faster

Uses the adverb "marginally" to convey a slight increase in speed.

a touch faster

Uses "touch" to suggest a minimal difference in speed.

barely faster

Emphasizes that the speed difference is minimal.

a hair faster

Uses "hair" to signify an extremely small margin of speed.

fractionally faster

Conveys a speed difference that is only a fraction of a unit.

a smidge faster

Employs "smidge" to describe an insignificant amount of added speed.

ever so slightly faster

Adds emphasis to the small difference by using "ever so slightly".

FAQs

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

You can use "a shade faster" to describe something that is only slightly quicker than something else. For example, "The new car model is "a shade faster" than the previous one".

What are some alternatives to "a shade faster"?

Some alternatives include "slightly quicker", "a bit faster", or "marginally faster", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is "a shade faster" more formal or informal?

"A shade faster" tends to be more informal. In formal writing, it is better to use alternatives like "somewhat faster" or "noticeably faster" to maintain a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "a shade faster"?

It's appropriate to use "a shade faster" in casual conversations, informal writing, or when the difference in speed is relatively small. Avoid using it in contexts where precision or formality is crucial.