an alarming pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an alarming pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a speed or rate of change that is concerning or troubling. Example: "The climate is changing at an alarming pace, prompting urgent action from governments worldwide."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Young of Central Asia and Eastern Europe Suffering Blame and Banishment VIENNA, 19 July 2010 - An underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is intensifying at an alarming pace, fueled by drug use, high-risk sexual behavior and high levels of social stigma that discourage people from seeking prevention info.

Unicef

VIENNA, 19 July 2010 -  An underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is intensifying at an alarming pace, fueled by drug use, high-risk sexual behavior and high levels of social stigma that discourage people from seeking prevention information and treatment, according to a new report released today by UNICEF.

Unicef

Reuters Harsh attitudes fuel Eastern Europe HIV epidemic VIENNA (Reuters) - An underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is building at an alarming pace, fuelled by drug use, risky sex and severe social stigma that stops people asking for help, the United Nations said on Monday.

Unicef

Download report in PDF Blame & Banishment VIENNA, 19 July 2010 -  An underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is intensifying at an alarming pace, fueled by drug use, high-risk sexual behavior and high levels of social stigma that discourage people from seeking prevention information and treatment, according to a new report released today by UNICEF.

Unicef

Young of Central Asia and Eastern Europe Suffering Blame and Banishment VIENNA, 19 July 2010 -  An underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is intensifying at an alarming pace, fueled by drug use, high-risk sexual behavior and high levels of social stigma that discourage people from seeking prevention information and treatment, according to a new report released today by UNICEF.

Unicef

Many East Asian economies are slowing at an alarming pace.

The Economist

As the seasons passed, Gandolfini gained weight at an alarming pace.

The New Yorker

In the last six months this progress has been unraveling at an alarming pace.

The Guardian

"They're unacceptably creepy, bloated, annoying, and insecure, and they're getting worse at an alarming pace".

The Guardian - Tech

Many small American firms depend on relationships with small local banks, which are being wiped out at an alarming pace.

The Economist

Price controls were put in place in the mid-1970s, whospitalital costs had been rising at an alarming pace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an alarming pace", ensure the context clearly establishes what is increasing or decreasing at this rate. Providing specific data or examples strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "an alarming pace" as a substitute for specific data. While it conveys urgency, backing it up with quantifiable information makes your claim more credible and less like fear-mongering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an alarming pace" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, describing the rate at which an action or process occurs. It emphasizes the concerning speed of the change, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

44%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an alarming pace" effectively communicates concern about the rate of change, and is versatile across different contexts. Its usage is grammatically correct, and very common, especially in science, formal & business, and news & media, as highlighted by Ludwig. While appropriate for formal and professional writing, it's crucial to support it with specific data to avoid sensationalism. Consider using alternatives like "a worrying rate" or "a disturbing speed" to avoid repetition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and widely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a worrying rate

Substitutes "alarming" with "worrying", emphasizing the concern caused by the speed.

a disturbing speed

Replaces "alarming" with "disturbing", highlighting the unsettling nature of the pace.

a concerning tempo

Uses "concerning" instead of "alarming" and "tempo" instead of "pace", slightly altering the tone.

a frightening velocity

Employs "frightening" and "velocity" to intensify the sense of danger and speed.

a rapid acceleration

Focuses on the increase in speed rather than the speed itself, using "acceleration".

a swift decline

Highlights a negative trend happening quickly, changing the focus to deterioration.

an exponential increase

Indicates a very rapid increase, using the more technical term "exponential".

a precipitous fall

Emphasizes a sudden and steep decrease, using "precipitous" to describe the fall.

a runaway surge

Suggests an uncontrolled and rapid increase, using "runaway" and "surge".

a breakneck tempo

Uses "breakneck" to emphasize the high and potentially dangerous speed.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "an alarming pace" in a sentence?

To use "an alarming pace" effectively, clearly identify what is increasing or decreasing. For example, "Deforestation is occurring at "an alarming pace", threatening biodiversity."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "an alarming pace"?

Alternatives include "a worrying rate", "a disturbing speed", or "a concerning tempo". These options provide similar connotations of urgency and concern without repeating the exact phrase. See also "a worrying rate" or "a disturbing speed".

Is it appropriate to use "an alarming pace" in formal writing?

Yes, "an alarming pace" can be used in formal writing, especially when discussing concerning trends or developments. However, ensure the tone remains objective and supported by evidence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is used in Formal & Business sources.

What kind of words usually collocate with "an alarming pace"?

Verbs and nouns that suggest increase, decrease, spread, or development frequently collocate with "an alarming pace". Examples include "increase", "decline", "spread", and "growth".