ahead of the pace

USAGE SUMMARY

"ahead of the pace" is a correct and usable idiom in written English.
It means "to be doing something faster than the normal rate or way it is usually done." For example: "My team was able to finish the project ahead of the pace and with time to spare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

We're way ahead of the pace".

The New York Times

In the UK, Fifty Shades is far ahead of the pace it's achieving in the US.

The Guardian - Film

"Our offense is ahead of the pace it was at this time last season," Bishop said.

The New York Times - Sports

The sequel is 49% ahead of the pace set by Paddington, suggesting it could reach a total of about £56m.

The Guardian - Film

The original Marvel The Avengers stood at £29.85m after the second weekend, meaning Ultron is running 8% ahead of the pace set by its predecessor.

The Guardian - Film

And with eight major titles, he is still ahead of the pace set by Nicklaus, who did not win his eighth major until he was 30.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Presumably, if that ahead-of-the-pace jobs creation in January and February has helped him, it would already be reflected in his approval numbers by now.

The New York Times

He also won all delegates in Arizona and was 14 delegates ahead of the majority pace.

The New York Times

But Woods is ahead of the Nicklaus pace, with a chance to jump far ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a concept way ahead of the crawling pace of empirical evidence.

Harvard Business Review

Spring planting was generally ahead of the normal pace, while conditions in the natural resource sectors varied across the Districts.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ahead of the pace" to indicate a faster rate of progress compared to a standard or expectation. For clarity, specify what the pace is being compared to: "ahead of the pace set by last year's sales figures".

Common error

Avoid using "ahead of the pace" without clearly defining the benchmark. Without a point of comparison, the phrase lacks context and becomes vague. Instead of "We're ahead of the pace", specify, "We're ahead of the pace we projected in Q1".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ahead of the pace" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs and describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is progressing or performing at a rate faster than what was anticipated or previously set.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

18%

Sports

14%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ahead of the pace" is a commonly used idiom that signifies progress exceeding expectations or a pre-established rate. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It is frequently employed in News & Media, Sports and Formal & Business contexts to highlight positive outcomes and achievements. When using this phrase, ensure the reference point or benchmark is clearly defined for context. Alternatives like "outpacing expectations" or "exceeding the projected rate" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outpacing expectations

Focuses on exceeding anticipated results, rather than comparing to a set pace.

exceeding the projected rate

More formal and emphasizes a pre-determined rate of progress.

surpassing the expected speed

Highlights velocity and anticipation but is a bit less idiomatic.

progressing faster than anticipated

Emphasizes acceleration and previous expectations.

moving at an accelerated rate

Focuses on the increased speed of movement or progress.

surpassing the established benchmark

Highlights exceeding a specific, agreed-upon standard.

breaking the speed barrier

More dramatic, implying a significant achievement beyond normal limits.

accelerating beyond the norm

General expression of surpassing a typical rate.

advancing more quickly than planned

Similar in meaning, but refers to the original plan or schedule.

outstripping the original schedule

More formal and focused on a structured timetable.

FAQs

How can I use "ahead of the pace" in a sentence?

You can use "ahead of the pace" to describe progress that is faster than expected or previously achieved. For example, "Our project is "ahead of the pace" set by the previous team.".

What can I say instead of "ahead of the pace"?

You can use alternatives like "outpacing expectations", "exceeding the projected rate", or "progressing faster than anticipated", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ahead of pace" without the article "the"?

While omitting "the" might be understood, using "ahead of the pace" is the standard and more idiomatic way to express that something is progressing faster than expected. Omitting the article is less common and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "ahead of the pace" and "on track"?

"Ahead of the pace" indicates progress exceeding expectations, while "on track" means progress is meeting expectations. To be "on track" implies adhering to a schedule; "ahead of the pace" suggests surpassing it.