at a lightning speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a lightning speed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is happening very quickly or at an extremely fast pace. Example: "The new software processes data at a lightning speed, making it much more efficient than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

And don't forget his lightning speed (34 stolen bases through June).

Huffington Post

We have seen a drop in the ocean of what's about to happen, approaching us at a lightning speed.

Huffington Post

For this is your opportunity to learn, evolve, and grow at a lightning speed -- if you can breathe.

Huffington Post

Who do you think got out of bed at night to feed you when you were growing at lightning speed, and needed 4 ounces of milk every few hours?

Huffington Post

"This generation has information and data and content thrown at them at lightning speed.

The New York Times

So-called "dictionary attacks" run through every word in a language at lightning speed.

The Guardian - Money

Now, a Web site does that at lightning speed and at almost no cost.

The New York Times

"A person who is trying to force a relationship into place at lightning speed is not healthy.

Huffington Post

Making matters worse, a cholera epidemic has swept through the country at lightning speed, infecting over a million people.

Vice

Tetzlaff was drawing his bow, at lightning speed, over a precise point on the fingerboard, unlocking strange and ghostly resonances.

The New Yorker

We managed to cruise through the store at lightning speed without a single cranky moment between the three of us.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a lightning speed" to vividly describe actions or processes that occur remarkably quickly. This phrase is effective when you want to emphasize the swiftness and intensity of the speed.

Common error

While "at a lightning speed" is acceptable, overuse in formal or scientific writing can diminish its impact. Opt for more precise and technical language such as "rapidly" or "at an accelerated rate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a lightning speed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something happens very quickly. Ludwig AI confirms this is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a lightning speed" is a grammatically sound and vivid way to describe something happening very quickly. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its absence in Ludwig's example sentences suggests it is not the most frequent or conventional choice. Consider more formal alternatives like "rapidly" for academic or professional contexts. This phrase functions adverbially, emphasizing speed in various situations, and appears mostly in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a rapid pace

Replaces the "lightning" metaphor with the more common "rapid pace".

incredibly fast

Replaces the metaphor of "lightning" with a direct adjective of speed.

extremely quickly

Uses an adverb to emphasize the rapidness of an action.

with great rapidity

Emphasizes speed using a more formal noun.

at an accelerated rate

Implies an increase in speed over time.

at breakneck speed

An idiomatic expression implying dangerous or reckless speed.

at full tilt

An idiomatic expression suggesting maximum speed or effort.

at warp speed

Borrowing from science fiction, this suggests an extremely high velocity.

with utmost haste

Focuses on the urgency and speed of an action.

in the blink of an eye

An idiomatic expression that focuses on instantaneous action.

FAQs

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

You can use "at a lightning speed" to describe actions or processes that happen very quickly. For example, "The data was processed "at a lightning speed"." or "Technology evolves "at a lightning speed".".

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

Alternatives include "incredibly fast", "extremely quickly", or "at a rapid pace". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "at a lightning speed" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "at a lightning speed" might be considered less formal. For academic writing, consider using more precise and technical terms like "rapidly" or "at an accelerated rate".

What is the difference between "at a lightning speed" and "at breakneck speed"?

"At a lightning speed" emphasizes the quickness of an action, while "at breakneck speed" implies that the speed is dangerously fast or reckless. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight speed or the potential risk associated with that speed.