at a quickening pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a quickening pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increase in speed or intensity in an action or process. Example: "As the deadline approached, the team worked at a quickening pace to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Road-building, land speculators and ranchers followed, and the forests fell at a quickening pace.

The New York Times

In recent months the economy has been shedding jobs at a quickening pace, especially in construction and manufacturing.

The New York Times

This suggests that existing assets are changing hands at a quickening pace and a rising price.How big a worry is that?

The Economist

As a result, both new understanding and new medicines will arrive at a quickening pace, according to the biologists and computer scientists.

The New York Times

The movement to end genital cutting is spreading in Senegal at a quickening pace through the very ties of family and ethnicity that used to entrench it.

The New York Times

Consumers are fleeing pay TV at a quickening pace: 898,000 in the past year, nearly twice the number in the previous year, the analyst Craig Moffett said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The attack suggested a quickening pace and a widening circle of targets in Lebanon's persistent political violence.

The New York Times

The combination of a rising unemployment rate and a quickening pace of labor-force dropouts is especially worrisome.

The New York Times

"There's been a quickening pace of provocations," said one senior administration official, describing actions and words from North Korea and its new leader, Mr. Kim.

The New York Times

But Brad Cohen and the City of London Sinfonia make up for a slow start with a quickening pace that relieves this absurd plot of its usual longueurs.

The Guardian - Music

The various developments suggested a quickening pace to diplomatic efforts after months of rising violence in Israel and the occupied territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a quickening pace" when you want to emphasize that something is not just increasing, but increasing at an increasing rate. This adds a sense of urgency or acceleration to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "at a quickening pace" when a simple increase in speed or quantity is meant. The phrase specifically implies an acceleration, not just a rise. Using "increasingly" or "more rapidly" might be more appropriate if the rate isn't itself speeding up.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a quickening pace" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use to describe processes that are not only increasing but accelerating.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a quickening pace" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize acceleration in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news and scientific media, it denotes that something is not merely increasing but doing so at an increasingly rapid rate. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and related phrases like "at an accelerating rate" can offer nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, remember that it conveys more than just an increase; it describes a rate that is itself increasing. Avoiding its use in contexts where a simple increase is meant will ensure accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at an accelerating rate

Replaces 'quickening' with 'accelerating', emphasizing the increasing rate.

with increasing speed

Substitutes 'pace' with 'speed', focusing on the velocity aspect.

at a faster tempo

Uses 'tempo' instead of 'pace', implying a rhythmic increase in speed.

at a more rapid rate

Replaces 'quickening' with 'rapid', highlighting the swiftness of the increase.

at a burgeoning rate

Replaces "quickening" with "burgeoning", suggesting a growth or expansion in rate.

at an escalating pace

Uses 'escalating' to convey a gradual increase in intensity or speed.

at a stepped-up rate

Replaces 'quickening' with 'stepped-up', indicating a deliberate increase.

with greater velocity

Focuses on the scientific aspect of speed, using 'velocity'.

at an increasing clip

Uses 'clip' as a synonym for 'pace', implying a brisk tempo.

at a hastened rhythm

Replaces 'pace' with 'rhythm', suggesting a patterned increase in speed.

FAQs

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

Use "at a quickening pace" to describe situations where the rate of change is itself increasing. For instance, "The spread of misinformation online is occurring "at a quickening pace", requiring immediate action."

What's a more formal way to say "at a quickening pace"?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "at an accelerating rate" or "with increasing rapidity". These options maintain the meaning while elevating the tone.

Is there a subtle difference between "at a quickening pace" and "at an accelerating rate"?

"At an accelerating rate" emphasizes the mathematical concept of acceleration, while "at a quickening pace" focuses on the perception of increased speed. Both are similar, but the best choice depends on the specific context.

Can "at a quickening pace" be used to describe emotional changes?

While primarily used for quantifiable processes, "at a quickening pace" can metaphorically describe emotional or psychological changes, such as "Her anxiety grew "at a quickening pace" as the trial date approached."