a steady clip

USAGE SUMMARY

"a steady clip" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that means "at a consistent or regular speed." For example, you could say, "He was walking at a steady clip down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of late, aptronyms seem to have cropped up at a steady clip.

The New York Times

Exports continue to grow at a steady clip of 20% or so a year.

The Economist

The N.H.L. has motored along with a steady clip of coaching casualties.

The New York Times

Carlin, inspired by the success of Danny Kaye, moved at a steady clip.

The New York Times - Magazine

And Mr. Gulotta continues to raise money at a steady clip.

The New York Times

There have been more than 12,000 calls so far, and they continue rolling in at a steady clip.

The New York Times

Negotiators have been meeting at a steady clip since 2010, dodging potential sticking-points as they arise.

The Economist

Although the collection -- currently about 600 paintings and sculptures -- is still small by the standards of big museums, it is growing at a steady clip.

The New York Times

They claim the economy is growing at a steady clip of 10% or more a year.No wonder, then, that living conditions are deteriorating rapidly throughout Myanmar.

The Economist

Since the early 1980s, rural Haitians have moved at a steady clip to Port-au-Prince in search of schools, jobs and government services.

The New York Times

The technique worked, and within a couple days I was off the O.K. plateau, and my card times began falling again at a steady clip.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a steady clip" when you want to describe something progressing at a consistent and reliable pace, whether it's the economy, sales, or personal progress. It implies a lack of sudden changes or interruptions.

Common error

Avoid using "a steady clip" when you actually mean "a quick burst" or "a rapid increase". "Clip" in this context refers to a consistent rate, not a sudden surge.

Linguistic Context

A steady clip functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates a consistent or regular rate of progress. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a steady clip" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes a consistent or regular pace. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide acceptance. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. When using "a steady clip", ensure that you're conveying a sense of reliable and consistent progress, not a sudden burst or surge. The analyzed data highlights that authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist frequently employ this phrase to describe various scenarios, further solidifying its place in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a consistent pace

Emphasizes the consistency of the pace, similar to "a steady clip".

at a regular rate

Highlights the regularity of the rate of progress.

at a constant speed

Focuses on the unchanging nature of the speed.

at a continuous flow

Suggests an uninterrupted progression.

at a brisk pace

Indicates a quick and energetic speed.

at a good speed

Implies a satisfactory or efficient rate.

at a moderate tempo

Suggests a balanced and controlled rhythm or pace.

at a stable rate

Highlights the stability and lack of fluctuation in the rate.

at a measured pace

Implies a deliberate and careful speed.

at a uniform tempo

Emphasizes the consistent and unchanging nature of the tempo.

FAQs

How can I use "a steady clip" in a sentence?

You can use "a steady clip" to describe consistent progress or movement. For example, "The company's sales are growing at "a steady clip"" indicates consistent sales growth.

What's an alternative to saying "a steady clip"?

Instead of "a steady clip", you could say "a consistent pace", "a regular rate", or "a constant speed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an steady clip" instead of "a steady clip"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. "Steady" begins with a consonant sound, so it requires the article "a", not "an". The correct form is ""a steady clip"".

What does "a steady clip" imply about the rate of progress?

"A steady clip" implies a consistent and reliable rate of progress, suggesting that there are no significant slowdowns or interruptions. It indicates a stable and predictable pace.