as rapid as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as rapid as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the speed of one thing to another, often in a simile or metaphorical context. Example: "The cheetah is as rapid as a bullet when it sprints across the savannah."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it appears that CFC reduction has not been as rapid as hoped.

The Guardian

Thanks to wartime R&D and post-war prosperity, the pace of technological and social change had never been as rapid as during the Kennedy era.

Huffington Post

Dr. Midei's fall was as rapid as it was dramatic.

The New York Times - Health

"He's not as rapid as he was when he was 35," Allen told Itzkoff.

The New Yorker

"Progress is not as rapid as I had hoped," he said.

The New Yorker

Can go anywhere by bus, Boston, etc. Cheaper but not as rapid as trains.

The New Yorker

He's not as rapid as he was when was he was 35.

The New York Times

For small parts, cycles can be as rapid as several injections per minute.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rates of bioturbation can be as rapid as sustained maximum rates of tectonic uplift.

Earth-Science Reviews

Because fluidics is not as rapid as electronics, it is unlikely to compete in fields with ultrahigh-speed requirements.

Britannica

Although not nearly as rapid as Gillard's ascent to power, Rudd's rise and fall had come quickly.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as rapid as", ensure you are comparing two explicitly stated subjects to avoid ambiguity. For example, 'The company's growth was as rapid as its initial decline' is clearer than 'The company's growth was as rapid as possible'.

Common error

Avoid using "as rapid as" in situations where a direct comparison is not possible. Saying something is 'as rapid as it gets' is less effective than stating it is 'extremely rapid' or 'the fastest possible'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as rapid as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that two entities share a similar speed or rate of occurrence. Ludwig's examples show it comparing rates of change, speeds, and declines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as rapid as" is a versatile comparative phrase, used to equate the speed or rate of two distinct subjects. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and quite common across various domains, especially in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure a clear comparison is made to prevent ambiguity and avoid misusing the phrase in absolute statements. For similar expressions, consider using alternatives such as "as fast as" or "as quick as" to maintain clarity and impact. The usage of "as rapid as" is well-supported by many authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as swift as

Emphasizes speed and grace; slightly more literary.

as quick as

More colloquial and commonly used in everyday language.

as fast as

A very common and direct synonym for speed comparison.

as speedy as

Similar to 'as fast as', but with a slight emphasis on efficiency.

as expeditious as

More formal, emphasizing efficiency and promptness.

as prompt as

Highlights immediacy and lack of delay.

comparable in speed to

More verbose, focusing on the similarity in velocity.

matches the speed of

Emphasizes the act of equaling or attaining a similar velocity.

at the same rate as

Focuses on the rate of change or progress being equal.

on par with in terms of speed

More formal, indicating an equivalent level of velocity.

FAQs

How can I use "as rapid as" in a sentence?

Use "as rapid as" to compare the speed of two different things, showing that one is moving or progressing at the same rate as the other. For example: "The spread of the disease was "as rapid as" scientists had predicted."

What are some alternatives to saying "as rapid as"?

You can use alternatives like "as fast as", "as quick as", or "as swift as" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to use "as rapid as" or "as quickly as"?

"As rapid as" and "as quickly as" are both correct, but "as rapid as" is used to describe the rate or speed itself (a quality), while "as quickly as" describes the manner in which something is done (an action). For instance, "The response was as rapid as expected" vs. "He completed the task as quickly as possible."

What's the difference between "as rapid as" and "as fast as"?

While both "as rapid as" and "as fast as" describe speed, "rapid" implies a swiftness or acceleration that is often unexpected or impressive, whereas "fast" is a more general term for high speed. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.