at a cracking pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a cracking pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is happening very quickly or at a fast speed. Example: "The team completed the project at a cracking pace, impressing everyone with their efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Eagleton sets off at a cracking pace.

The Guardian - Books

Officially atheist China is growing at a cracking pace.

The Economist

The phones themselves are improving at a cracking pace.

The Economist

Other Polish airports too are expanding at a cracking pace.

The Economist

His assured touch carries this, his seventh political novel, along at a cracking pace.

The Economist

Then there's the detective story, which gusts the plot along at a cracking pace.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

This isn't cause for alarm though, since Abrams moves the thing along at such a cracking pace.

Independent

Rarely, if ever, has a Premiership season kicked off at such a cracking pace under the Friday night lights.

The Guardian - Sport

It might not have anything original to say, but at least it sets a cracking pace – and with curly mullets, too.

The Guardian - Music

No wonder he maintains such a cracking pace, up at dawn to stand on picket lines, even considering standing for parliament again when it looks as if Gordon Brown will call a snap election: after all, he thinks defiantly, he is only 82 and "Mr Gladstone was prime minister at 84".

The Guardian - Books

It was a major improvement for Seville after finishing sixth at Epsom, while Memphis Tennessee had finished fourth on 4 June after setting a cracking pace.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a cracking pace" to add vividness and a sense of excitement when describing rapid progress or speed, particularly in informal or journalistic contexts. It's more engaging than simply saying 'quickly'.

Common error

Avoid using "at a cracking pace" too frequently in formal writing, as it can sound colloquial. Instead, opt for more neutral alternatives like "rapidly" or "quickly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a cracking pace" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is happening quickly and efficiently, as demonstrated by examples found via Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a cracking pace" is a common and effective way to describe rapid progress or speed, as validated by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and widely used in News & Media. While it's generally neutral, it leans towards informality, making it suitable for journalistic and general contexts, but less ideal for formal academic or scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a dynamic and engaging way to express quick advancement, making your writing more vivid and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a rapid rate

Emphasizes the speed of the activity, similar to 'at a cracking pace'.

at a blistering speed

Focuses on the intensity and high speed of the action.

at an accelerated tempo

Highlights the increasing speed or tempo of an event or process.

at full tilt

Suggests maximum effort and speed in pursuing a goal.

at warp speed

Implies a very high or almost unbelievable rate of advancement.

at a lightning pace

Compares the speed to that of lightning, highlighting quickness.

in leaps and bounds

Highlights significant progress being made quickly.

like wildfire

Indicates rapid and widespread growth or dissemination.

swiftly advancing

Directly describes the quick movement forward.

expeditiously

Formal term indicating efficiency and speed in achieving something.

FAQs

What does "at a cracking pace" mean?

The phrase "at a cracking pace" means something is happening very quickly or rapidly. It is often used to describe the speed of progress or development.

Is "at a cracking pace" formal or informal?

While usable in written English, "at a cracking pace" leans toward the informal side. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "at a rapid rate" or "swiftly".

What are some alternatives to "at a cracking pace"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "at a rapid rate", "quickly", "swiftly", or "expeditiously" as alternatives to "at a cracking pace".

How can I use "at a cracking pace" in a sentence?

You can use "at a cracking pace" to describe anything that's moving or progressing very quickly. For example: "The project is moving at a cracking pace" or "The economy is growing at a cracking pace".