appropriate speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appropriate speed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the suitable or proper pace for a particular activity or situation. Example: "When driving in residential areas, it is important to maintain an appropriate speed to ensure the safety of pedestrians."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The real question is not absolute speed but appropriate speed.

The New York Times

Governors and state highway officials agree: individual states are best equipped to determine appropriate speed limits based on local circumstances.

The New York Times

A driver, freed of mechanical limitations, has total discretion to set the appropriate speed, at least here on the no-limits autobahn.

The New York Times

"We need to find ways to change driver attitudes so that they understand that 20mph is seen as the appropriate speed in urban areas".

The Guardian

That's partly because of the expectation of a bailout, so Congress should be clear that it is working on a plan with appropriate speed.

The New York Times

The fractious $5.5 billion-a-year workers' compensation system struggles to treat injured workers with appropriate speed and to protect employers against fraud.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

C-Kermit 6.0, by contrast, has a much more comprehensive modem database, and automatically chooses the appropriate SPEED-MATCHING and other parameters when you choose your modem type.

Columbia University

Road design characteristics should deliver a clear message to drivers on the appropriate speeds.

Transportation Research Procedia

Google's real self-driving cars use a combination of onboard computers, stored maps, laser guidance and object recognition to determine appropriate speeds and actions to take.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's now a critical part of how we test and refine our software". Google's real self-driving cars use a combination of onboard computers, stored maps, laser guidance and object recognition to determine appropriate speeds and actions to take.

The Guardian - Tech

Overall, drivers exhibited quicker reaction times and more appropriate speeds at curves when they received a CSW than in a baseline condition with no warning.

Injury Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about driving or traffic regulations, use "appropriate speed" to convey adherence to safety and legal standards. For example: "Drivers should always maintain an "appropriate speed" for the prevailing road conditions."

Common error

Don't assume "appropriate speed" always means adhering to the posted speed limit. It often involves adjusting speed based on factors like weather, visibility, and traffic, which may require driving slower than the limit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appropriate speed" functions as a noun phrase, where "appropriate" modifies the noun "speed". This phrase typically serves to describe a speed that is suitable or fitting for a particular situation or context, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

47%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appropriate speed" is a frequently used phrase functioning as a noun phrase, conveying the idea of a suitable velocity for a given situation. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, science, and academic domains. While alternatives like "suitable velocity" and "proper pace" exist, the phrase remains a common choice for emphasizing safety, responsibility, and adherence to regulations. When using "appropriate speed", remember it's more than just following speed limits; it's about adapting to conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suitable velocity

Replaces "appropriate" with "suitable" and "speed" with "velocity", maintaining a similar level of formality.

proper pace

Uses "proper" instead of "appropriate" and "pace" instead of "speed", slightly altering the connotation to focus on rhythm or tempo.

optimal rate

Substitutes "appropriate" with "optimal" and "speed" with "rate", suggesting the best possible speed for a given situation.

correct tempo

Replaces "speed" with "tempo", often used in contexts involving music or timing.

ideal swiftness

Employs "ideal" in place of "appropriate" and "swiftness" for "speed", adding a sense of desirability or perfection.

fitting velocity

Utilizes "fitting" to replace "appropriate", implying a speed that is well-matched to the circumstances.

required speed

Indicates that a certain speed is necessary or obligatory in a specific context.

designated speed

Suggests a speed that has been officially or formally specified.

prescribed speed

Similar to "designated speed", but implies a more authoritative or regulated specification.

safe speed

Focuses on the safety aspect of speed, emphasizing a speed that minimizes risk.

FAQs

How to use "appropriate speed" in a sentence?

You can use "appropriate speed" to describe the speed that is suitable or correct for a particular situation. For instance, "The driver reduced their speed to an "appropriate speed" when approaching the school zone."

What can I say instead of "appropriate speed"?

You can use alternatives like "suitable velocity", "proper pace", or "optimal rate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "appropriate speed" or "suitable speed"?

"Appropriate speed" and "suitable speed" are both grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What factors determine the "appropriate speed" while driving?

The "appropriate speed" while driving is influenced by factors such as weather conditions, visibility, traffic density, road conditions, and the presence of pedestrians or cyclists. Adjusting speed to these factors ensures safety.