at an accelerating rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at an accelerating rate" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is increasing or intensifying at a faster and faster pace. Example: "The number of COVID-19 cases is growing at an accelerating rate, causing concern for public health officials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is getting better at an accelerating rate.

The New York Times

What is evident is that power is leaking from the US at an accelerating rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Robots are becoming part of industry, and our lives, at an accelerating rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it is doing so by pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at an accelerating rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since 1972, information about the transition has accumulated at an accelerating rate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the ultracompetitive British market, national papers struggle to make money and local newspapers are folding at an accelerating rate.

The New York Times - Tech

During the next decade, we saw the climate of Alaska continue to warm at an accelerating rate.

The New Yorker

Now what is happening is seen as part of a bigger story; consistent climate change at an accelerating rate.

The Guardian

British women are being squeezed out of power at an accelerating rate, according to an explosive report published on Monday.

The Guardian

The quoted sector is losing market share and profits are declining at an accelerating rate, with no end in sight.

The Guardian - Business

"Home prices declining at an accelerating rate?" Joshua Shapiro, chief United States economist at the research firm MFR, said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or changes, use "at an accelerating rate" to emphasize that the rate of change is not constant but is itself increasing. For instance, "Technological advancements are occurring at an accelerating rate."

Common error

Avoid using "at an accelerating rate" when the situation involves a steady or linear increase. Ensure that the data or phenomenon genuinely reflects a rate that is increasing over time, not just consistently growing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at an accelerating rate" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe how an action or process is occurring. It emphasizes that the rate of change is not constant but is increasing over time. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Unknown/unmatched sources

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at an accelerating rate" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase widely used to describe situations where the pace of change is increasing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s common in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, remember that this phrase emphasizes that change itself is speeding up. While alternatives like "at an increasingly rapid pace" exist, they may not always capture the same nuance. Be aware of the distinction between acceleration and simple rapid increase. Using this phrase correctly adds precision and impact to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at an increasingly rapid pace

Replaces "accelerating rate" with "increasingly rapid pace", maintaining a similar level of formality.

at a growing speed

Substitutes "accelerating rate" with "growing speed", making the phrase slightly more informal.

with increasing rapidity

Replaces "at an accelerating rate" with a more formal and concise expression.

at a quickening tempo

Uses "quickening tempo" to imply acceleration, suitable for contexts involving processes or changes.

at an exponential pace

Emphasizes the exponential nature of the increase, implying a very rapid acceleration.

at an escalated tempo

Substitutes "accelerating rate" with "escalated tempo", which is slightly more emphatic.

at a mounting degree

Replaces "accelerating rate" with "mounting degree", indicating an increase in intensity or extent.

at a surging level

Uses "surging level" to express rapid growth or increase, often used in economic or statistical contexts.

at a snowballing velocity

Emphasizes the idea of a rapidly increasing effect, similar to a snowball rolling down a hill.

at an intensified rate

Focuses on the intensification aspect of the increase, rather than just speed or pace.

FAQs

How can I use "at an accelerating rate" in a sentence?

Use "at an accelerating rate" to describe something that is increasing or intensifying more and more rapidly over time. For example, "The spread of misinformation online is happening "at an accelerating rate"".

What are some alternatives to "at an accelerating rate"?

You can use alternatives like "at an increasingly rapid pace", "with increasing rapidity", or "at a growing speed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at an accelerated rate" instead of "at an accelerating rate"?

While "accelerated rate" might seem similar, ""at an accelerating rate"" specifically indicates that the rate of change is itself increasing, not just that something is happening faster.

What's the difference between "at an accelerating rate" and "at a rapid rate"?

"At a rapid rate" implies a fast pace, whereas ""at an accelerating rate"" means the pace is not only fast but is also getting faster over time.