an average rate of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an average rate of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a typical or mean measurement of something over a specific period or across a certain dataset. Example: "The study found an average rate of growth of 5% per year among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That compares with an average rate of 2.25percentt over the last five years.

The New York Times

I'd been moving up at an average rate of about 500 a year for 22 years.

The New York Times - Sports

There have been 38 offers at an average rate of around 8%.

The Guardian - Tech

Consequently, the economy grew at an average rate of 6% between 1921 and 1929".

The Guardian

In the second half of the 1980s, Japan was growing at an average rate of 5%.

The Guardian - Business

In the last decade, tourism receipts grew at an average rate of 28%.

The Guardian

In all the UK has committed €7bn - €3.2bn is charged at an average rate of 5.8%.

The Guardian - Business

Since then the EU has grown at an average rate of just over 2% a year.

The Economist

Solar pool installations grew at an average rate of 8percentt during the last four years, according to the association.

The New York Times

Such formations grow at an average rate of about 0.5 to 2.8 cm per year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In all, Westchester has sold $126.76 million in general obligation bonds and notes at an average rate of 3.4percentt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an average rate of", ensure the context clearly defines the period over which the rate is calculated (e.g., per year, per month).

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "average rate of" something applies uniformly to all individual cases within the dataset. Averages can mask significant variations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an average rate of" serves as a modifier within a sentence, typically introducing a numerical value that represents the central tendency of a particular phenomenon. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase often precedes a specific unit of measurement (e.g., percent, cm/year).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an average rate of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a typical or mean value. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies its prevalent use across News & Media and Scientific sources. While versatile, it's crucial to remember that an average can conceal variations within the data and that the period over which the rate is measured should be clearly defined. Alternatives like "a typical rate of" or "the mean rate of" can be used depending on the context, and they may convey slightly different nuances. Always strive for clarity and precision when interpreting and presenting average rates.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mean rate of

Replaces "average" with "mean", a synonym indicating the typical value in a dataset. Slightly more statistical in tone.

the typical rate of

Substitutes "average" with "typical", focusing on what is most commonly observed.

a usual rate of

Similar to "typical", but might suggest a less formal or statistical context.

the average speed of

Replaces "rate" with "speed", appropriate when discussing change over time, typically for movement.

a common rate of

Highlights the frequency of the rate, suggesting it's often encountered.

the going rate of

Indicates the current or prevailing rate, especially in commercial contexts.

an ordinary rate of

Suggests a rate that is neither high nor low, but within normal expectations.

the baseline rate of

Implies a standard or reference point for comparison.

a median rate of

Uses "median" to represent the central value separating the higher half from the lower half of a data sample. Useful for datasets with outliers.

the normal frequency of

Replaces "rate" with "frequency," best used when describing how often something occurs. Adds the adjective "normal".

FAQs

How do I use "an average rate of" in a sentence?

Use "an average rate of" to describe a typical or mean measurement of something, such as growth, decline, or occurrence, over a specified period or within a particular dataset. For example: "The economy grew at "an average rate of" 2% per year".

What can I say instead of "an average rate of"?

You can use alternatives like "a typical rate of", "the mean rate of", or "a common rate of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "an average rate of" versus "the median rate of"?

"An average rate of" is best when you want to convey a general sense of the typical rate across a dataset. "The median rate of" is more appropriate when the dataset contains outliers that could skew the average.

Is there a difference between "an average rate of" and "an average speed of"?

While similar, ""an average rate of"" is a broader term applicable to various changes or occurrences, whereas "an average speed of" specifically refers to the rate of motion or progress over time. The best alternative depends on the concept you want to express.