at a certain rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a certain rate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a specific speed, frequency, or cost associated with an action or process. Example: "The project will progress at a certain rate, depending on the resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I work and think at a certain rate and expect everyone to be the same.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No matter how calmly a crowd behaves, it can only fit through a narrow exit at a certain rate.

The Guardian

"By and large, we're focused on companies where earnings growth isn't dependent on G.D.P. being at a certain rate".

The New York Times

"The question of growth revolves around the idea that if you're not growing at a certain rate, you're dying as a company," she says.

The Guardian

Every time you pull this particular carbon trigger at a certain rate and dump it into the atmosphere, that's what you get.

The New York Times

Silage may be unloaded from the bottom with a power-operated unloader and must be removed at a certain rate per day to prevent spoilage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a measure of its member economies, whose currencies were then fixed at a certain rate against the euro, it created a more stable money based on a wider economic area.

The New York Times

Bowlers it seems have simply got used to sending down their overs at a certain rate and to alter that would be like breaking into a sprint having trained at a jog.

The Guardian - Sport

On the question of whether incinerators can block the recycling rates, he said there were examples of councils around the country that had become "stuck" at a certain recycling rate because of their commitment to incinerate at a certain rate.

The Guardian

What he specifically did was download a piece of software called Write or Die that requires you to bang the words out at a certain rate or it starts deleting them.

The Guardian - Opinion

In principle, heat-treating already takes place when steel is hot-rolled at a particular temperature and cooled afterward at a certain rate, but there are also many heat-treating process facilities specifically designed to produce particular microstructures and properties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a certain rate", ensure that the context provides sufficient information about what is being measured or quantified. For instance, specify whether you are referring to speed, growth, decay, or another type of process.

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain rate" when a more precise description is possible. Replace it with specific metrics or quantities whenever feasible to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain rate" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs or clauses to specify the speed, frequency, or proportion at which an action or process occurs. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which illustrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a certain rate" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe the speed, frequency, or proportion at which something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including science, news, and general communication. While versatile, it's important to use specific metrics whenever possible to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "at a specific pace" or "at a constant velocity" can provide more precision depending on the context. Remember to consider the formality of your writing and choose the most appropriate wording for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At a specific pace

Emphasizes the speed or tempo at which something progresses, suggesting a deliberate and controlled manner.

At a defined tempo

Focuses specifically on the timing or rhythm of an action or process, often used in contexts like music or dance.

At a set frequency

Highlights how often something occurs within a given time frame, useful for describing repetitive actions or events.

At a prescribed speed

Implies that the velocity of something is determined by an external authority or regulation.

At a fixed increment

Refers to a constant amount or degree by which something increases or decreases, often in mathematical or scientific contexts.

At a steady clip

Describes a consistent and unvarying rate of progress or movement.

At a constant velocity

Highlights uniform speed in a specific direction, commonly used in physics and engineering.

At a proportional scale

Indicates that the magnitude of something changes in direct relation to another factor.

At a designated level

Focuses on maintaining something at a particular value or standard.

At a calibrated measure

Suggests that a process or action is carefully adjusted and controlled for accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "at a certain rate" in a sentence?

Use "at a certain rate" to indicate that something happens with a specific speed, frequency, or proportion, like in "The population grew "at a certain rate" each year".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "at a certain rate"?

You could use phrases like "at a specific pace", "at a steady clip", or "at a constant velocity" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "at a certain rate" or "at a specific rate"?

Both "at a certain rate" and "at a specific rate" are correct, but "specific" implies more precision. Use "specific" when the rate is well-defined, and "certain" when it's known but perhaps not precisely quantified.

What's the difference between "at a certain rate" and "at a constant rate"?

"At a certain rate" simply indicates that something is happening with a particular speed or frequency, whereas "at a constant rate" means the speed or frequency remains unchanged over time.