as fast as can be

USAGE SUMMARY

"as fast as can be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the speed of an action. For example, "The athlete ran as fast as can be to finish the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Now new materials and designs have created specially springy sports feet that permit their wearers, when very skilled and talented, to run as fast as can be done with fleshly feet.

SEP

So here you are, clutching a buzzy little machine and leaving Mass as fast as can be managed respectfully.

Huffington Post

When pressed to explain what exactly "complete denuclearization" means, Trump said only that the process would be done as "fast as can be done scientifically [and] mechanically". .

Huffington Post

When pressed to explain what exactly "complete denuclearization" means or what it would entail, Trump said only that the process would be done as "fast as can be done scientifically [and] mechanically".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Across the Hudson River along the New Jersey waterfront, buildings are being occupied as fast as they can be built as securities firms are moving their back-office operations one stop west of Manhattan on the PATH rail line.

The New York Times

However much food, medicine and potable water is bought, it can be delivered only as fast as planes can be landed and offloaded.

The Economist

The Tri-Star IV weighs 50kg, is as fast as 1m/s, can be remote-controlled and was first publicly shown last year.

TechCrunch

Tarwater entered the June 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials with a new perspective: "I want to swim as fast as I can, be the best man I can be, and let the chips fall where they may", he said.

Wikipedia

Roxio does an excellent job with the whole process from start to finish via an add-in to its MacWorld-launched Toast 8. Transfers are as fast as they can be (it took about 30 minutes to move a 1GB file over a wireless network) and thankfully, Roxio does a snappy job with transcoding the files to make them iPod or PSP compatible.

TechCrunch

Fifth place finisher Johnson described his happiness by saying: "We're going to go home and we're going to make sure we have the best engines, go through our simulation stuff, make sure our car is as fast as it can be and then race.

Wikipedia

The problem is that people are still becoming infected twice as fast as they can be put into treatment programs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context; while generally acceptable, "as fast as can be" might be too informal for certain professional or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "as fast as can be" in highly formal writing where more precise or technical language might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "as quickly as possible" or "expeditiously" may be better suited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as fast as can be" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically describing the manner in which an action is performed. It intensifies the speed, suggesting that the action is carried out with maximum possible velocity or efficiency. According to Ludwig, this expression is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as fast as can be" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the speed or urgency of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use, although may be too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. While related phrases like "as quickly as possible" may be more appropriate in formal settings, "as fast as can be" effectively conveys a sense of maximum effort towards achieving speed. Although the frequency of use is rare, its message is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as quickly as possible

Emphasizes speed and efficiency but is more formal.

as rapidly as can be

Similar in meaning but places greater emphasis on speed of execution.

as swiftly as possible

Highlights the promptness and agility of the action.

at top speed

Focuses on achieving maximum velocity.

with utmost haste

Implies urgency and quick action in a formal context.

as soon as humanly possible

Emphasizes the urgency and the human element in achieving speed.

as fast as humanly possible

Focuses on the limits of human capability regarding speed.

posthaste

An older term indicating great speed and urgency.

at full tilt

Describes operating at maximum capacity or speed.

with all deliberate speed

Suggests speed while also maintaining a focus on carefulness.

FAQs

How can I use "as fast as can be" in a sentence?

You can use "as fast as can be" to emphasize the speed of an action or process. For example, "The data was processed "as fast as can be" to meet the deadline".

What phrases are similar to "as fast as can be"?

Similar phrases include "as quickly as possible", "as rapidly as can be", and "with utmost haste". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "as fast as can be" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as fast as can be" leans towards the informal side. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "as expeditiously as possible" or "as quickly as possible".

What's the difference between "as fast as possible" and "as fast as can be"?

"As fast as possible" is a more common and slightly more formal way to express the idea of maximum speed. "As fast as can be" adds a touch of colloquialism, implying that something is being done with all available effort and resources to maximize speed.