accelerate to catch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accelerate to catch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is trying to increase speed in order to reach or intercept something or someone. Example: "The driver had to accelerate to catch up with the speeding car ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

What we've had to do is accelerate, to catch up with the world and catch up with the requirements.

The New York Times

The television doesn't capture the speed the riders are descending at, how close they are to each other, and how fast they accelerate to catch each other".

The New York Times - Sports

They said that when 84th Street is open, drivers accelerate to catch green lights on both southbound and northbound Park Avenue, which is divided by a traffic island.

The New York Times

But when the chicken reaches the other side, the cars behind accelerate to catch up with those ahead.

Science Magazine

They watched the launch back in March 2004 and then waited as Rosetta was sent on a long trek through space to allow it to pick up speed, orbiting the Sun five times and using the gravity of Earth and Mars to accelerate to catch up with 67P.

BBC

A voice that could accelerate To catch up with the mind.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

When the partial automation system was activated, the truck accelerated to catch up to the truck in front (or slowed if it was closer than ten metres to the truck in front, which was never the case).

European Transport Research Review

With bigger boards accelerating enough to catch the wave could be a problem for new paddlers.

WikiHow

And in any case, what better way to bring attention to the perils of drowsy driving than the story of a drowsy driver who hands the wheel to a fare, who happens not to have a driving licence and proceeds to accelerate to 86mph, while he catches up on some shut-eye?

The Guardian

Follow SeThaterranti on Twaster.

Vice

Finally, the third follicle could accelerate its growth to catch up on the lag in development (differential follicle growth; Badyaev et al. 2005).

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accelerate to catch", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being accelerated and what the target is. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "accelerate to catch" can sound somewhat informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "expedite efforts to attain" or "increase velocity to reach" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accelerate to catch" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or objective behind an action, signifying an increase in speed to reach or intercept something, as illustrated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

29%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accelerate to catch" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of increasing speed or effort to reach a specific target. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across various contexts like news, science, and wiki articles. For more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "increase velocity to reach". Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what is being accelerated and what the target is. Overusing it in formal contexts may diminish impact. According to Ludwig's data, it conveys an intention of increasing speed in order to achieve a specific goal or target, which makes it versatile.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speed up to catch

Replaces "accelerate" with a more common synonym, maintaining the core meaning of increasing speed.

increase velocity to reach

Uses more formal language, replacing "accelerate" with "increase velocity" and "catch" with "reach".

hasten to intercept

Focuses on reaching a moving target, with "hasten" implying urgency and "intercept" suggesting a planned meeting.

step on the gas to overtake

Employs idiomatic language ("step on the gas") and a specific context (driving) with "overtake" implying passing another vehicle.

pick up the pace to meet

Shifts the focus to a more general situation of increasing effort ("pick up the pace") to achieve a goal ("meet").

move faster to seize

Emphasizes speed and decisiveness with "move faster" and "seize", implying an opportunity that must be taken quickly.

rush to grab

Implies a sense of urgency and immediacy, suitable for situations where something is quickly disappearing or being taken by someone else.

make haste to secure

A more formal alternative, suggesting prompt action to protect or obtain something.

expedite efforts to attain

Uses formal and technical language, implying a planned and organized approach to achieving a goal.

quicken the tempo to achieve

This implies a rhythmic or paced activity where the speed needs to be increased in order to complete a task.

FAQs

How can I use "accelerate to catch" in a sentence?

You can use "accelerate to catch" to describe the act of increasing speed or effort to reach a target or achieve a goal. For instance, "The company needed to accelerate to catch up with its competitors."

What are some alternatives to "accelerate to catch"?

You can use alternatives like "speed up to catch", "increase velocity to reach", or "hasten to intercept" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "accelerate to catch"?

It's appropriate to use "accelerate to catch" when you want to emphasize the act of increasing speed or momentum to reach a specific target or goal. It suggests a dynamic effort to bridge a gap or close a distance.

Is there a difference between "accelerate to catch" and "speed up to catch"?

While both phrases convey the same general meaning, "accelerate to catch" might suggest a more deliberate or forceful increase in speed, while "speed up to catch" is a more common and general expression. The choice depends on the desired nuance and formality.