at a certain speed

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a certain speed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a rate or pace of something (e.g. running, working, etc.). For example: "We need to complete this project at a certain speed in order to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

At a certain speed, all things disintegrate.

The New Yorker

We are not yet able to play good rugby at a certain speed.

The Guardian - Sport

We do this manually by swinging legs at a certain speed such that the amplitude adds up.

Cornell University

Boiled down to its essence, their methodology uses physics to calculate the power required to climb a mountain at a certain speed.

The New York Times - Sports

But, unlike a silicon chip, the modern automobile has to be a certain size, and carry a certain number of people, at a certain speed.

The New Yorker

Our studies show us over time that at a certain speed, it's virtually impossible to play at a certain position in the National Football League and play well".

The New York Times - Sports

"The front wheel must be before the stop bar, the car must be traveling at a certain speed, and we do not allow short yellow signals".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Intriguingly, it has been kept within the place cell research community that place cells loss their firing selectivity if the animals are not running at or above a certain speed (e.g. if a rat sits right at the place field of a given place cell, that particular place cell would not exhibit much place-selectivity, but rather fluctuate its firing widely) [39].

Plosone

How could I fully relax at a beach knowing that a prankster or even a wave, coming at a certain angle or a certain speed, could expose me?

HuffPost

At each lattice point, there should be only one particle, which has a certain speed and direction at a certain time.

Earth, Planets and Space

Tracking or balancing at a certain air speed may also be accompanied by relatively large vibrational loads at other air speeds.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a certain speed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is moving or operating at that speed. For example, specify "the car moved at a certain speed" rather than just "it moved at a certain speed".

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain speed" without providing additional context or units of measurement when precision is required. For instance, instead of saying "the process occurs at a certain speed", specify "the process occurs at a speed of 100 rpm" if the rate is known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain speed" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something occurs with a specific, although not necessarily precisely defined, velocity. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a certain speed" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to describe the rate at which something moves or operates. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for general use. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts and is considered to have a neutral register, being suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is moving and consider specifying units of measurement for greater precision when needed. Related phrases include "at a specific velocity" and "at a constant rate", which offer alternative ways to describe speed or pace.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a specific velocity

Replaces "certain" with "specific", highlighting a clearly defined rate.

at a particular pace

Substitutes "speed" with "pace", suggesting a more general tempo or rhythm.

at a designated speed

Emphasizes that the speed is pre-arranged or assigned.

at a set speed

Implies the speed is fixed and not variable.

at a constant rate

Focuses on the consistency of the speed, rather than a specific value.

at an approximate speed

Suggests an estimated, rather than exact, velocity.

at a given velocity

Suggests the velocity is predetermined or assumed.

at a defined pace

Replaces "certain speed" with a rhythm that has a definite characteristic.

at a measured speed

Indicates that the speed is precisely quantified.

at a steady speed

Emphasizes the stability and lack of fluctuation in speed.

FAQs

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

You can use "at a certain speed" to describe the rate at which something moves or operates. For example, "The machine needs to rotate at a certain speed to function correctly."

What are some alternatives to saying "at a certain speed"?

You can use alternatives like "at a specific velocity", "at a particular pace", or "at a constant rate depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "at a certain speed" or "at a specific speed"?

Both "at a certain speed" and "at a specific speed" are correct, but "at a specific speed" implies a more precise or defined rate, while "at a certain speed" suggests a less precise or known rate.

When should I use "at a certain speed" versus "at a steady speed"?

"At a certain speed" refers to an unspecified rate, whereas "at a steady speed" indicates a consistent, unchanging rate. Use "at a steady speed" when emphasizing the consistency of motion.