an alarming rate

USAGE SUMMARY

"an alarming rate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that increases or decreases quickly or drastically. For example: Obesity rates among teens are increasing at an alarming rate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joblessness is increasing at an alarming rate.

University of California, Berkeley

This is happening at an alarming rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was reducing at an alarming rate.

The Guardian - Business

However, these water points fail at an alarming rate.

University of California, Berkeley

The world is losing biodiversity at an alarming rate.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Miners are dying at an alarming rate," Mr. Rahall said.

The New York Times

It's also losing pupils at an alarming rate.

The Guardian

And these numbers are increasing annually at an alarming rate.

The New York Times

Last month, Labour's poll lead diminished at an alarming rate.

The Guardian

Loudcloud was burning through cash at an alarming rate.

The New York Times

"Deficits were increasing at an alarming rate," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an alarming rate", ensure the subject of the phrase is something that can logically increase or decrease in quantity or intensity. It's less appropriate for describing static states.

Common error

Avoid using "an alarming rate" in contexts where the concern is overstated or lacks factual backing. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility. Ensure your claims are supported by evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an alarming rate" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the speed or pace at which an action is occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a worrying or concerning pace.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an alarming rate" is a versatile phrase used to express concern about the speed or intensity of a particular change. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and utility. It's commonly found in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations that genuinely warrant alarm to maintain its impact. Alternative phrases such as "at a worrying pace" or "at a rapid clip" can be used to vary your writing. As with any strong phrase, overuse can diminish its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a worrying pace

Replaces "alarming" with "worrying" to soften the intensity while maintaining the concern about speed.

at a rapid clip

Substitutes "alarming rate" with "rapid clip" to focus on speed without necessarily implying danger.

at an accelerated pace

Emphasizes the increasing speed of change, replacing "alarming" with "accelerated."

at a breakneck speed

Highlights the dangerous speed of the change, implying potential negative consequences.

at a concerning tempo

Uses "tempo" instead of "rate" to suggest a concerning speed or rhythm of change.

at an exponential rate

Focuses on the accelerating nature of the change, suggesting a compounding effect.

at a disturbing level

Shifts the focus from speed to the concerning degree or amount of something.

at a precipitous rate

Highlights the sudden and steep nature of the change, implying a sharp decline.

at an unprecedented scale

Emphasizes the novelty and magnitude of the change, rather than just its speed.

at a critical threshold

Implies that a dangerous limit is being approached quickly.

FAQs

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

Use "an alarming rate" to describe something that is increasing or decreasing quickly and is cause for concern. For example, "sea levels are rising at "an alarming rate"" due to global warming.

What are some alternatives to using "an alarming rate" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "at a "worrying pace"", "at a "rapid clip"", or "at an "accelerated pace"" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "an alarming rate"?

While grammatically correct, "an alarming rate" is best used when the situation genuinely warrants alarm. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Reserve it for situations that are truly concerning or dangerous.

What's the difference between "an alarming rate" and "a steady rate"?

"An alarming rate" implies a fast and worrying change, while "a steady rate" suggests a consistent and usually less concerning pace. For example, population growth can occur at "a steady rate", but species extinction might happen at "an alarming rate".