at an average speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at an average speed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to indicate that something is happening, progressing, or moving at the typical or common rate. For example: "The two runners paced each other at an average speed throughout the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hakkinen covered the 191 miles at an average speed of 130 miles an hour.

The New York Times - Sports

Completing their 16 laps in a time of 3min 51.943sec at an average speed of 62kph.

The Guardian - Sport

The trains, with three cars each, travel at an average speed of 25 miles an hour.

The New York Times - Travel

They said they covered 2,811 miles at an average speed of 87.6 m.p.h.

The New York Times - Sports

Birkin went round at an average speed of 137.96 miles an hour.

The Guardian

China's bullet trains, meanwhile, zip along at an average speed of 215 miles an hour.

The New York Times

The French TGV from Paris to Lyon, by contrast, runs at an average speed of 140mph.

The Economist

Widgets travel on the main floor of the Exchange at an average speed of 15 miles per hour.

The New Yorker

That happened on a 34-mile route of mostly stop-and-go driving, at an average speed of 27 m.p.h.

The New York Times

But one of the later segments, of 82 miles, yielded 65 m.p.g. at an average speed of 65 m.p.h.

The New York Times

During the first Tour, in 1903, Maurice Garin led the pack at an average speed of 15.6 miles per hour.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing motion or progress, use "at an average speed" to provide a typical rate, aiding clarity and setting expectations.

Common error

Avoid assuming "at an average speed" implies constant motion; it represents a typical rate that can include variations and stops.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at an average speed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig examples show it quantifying the typical rate of movement or progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at an average speed" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the typical rate of movement or progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly usable in written English across various contexts. The examples provided show its prevalence in news, science, and business, where it helps quantify motion. Remember that "at an average speed" doesn't imply a constant rate, but rather a typical one. Alternatives like "at a typical velocity" or "on average" can be used for similar effect, depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey. Use "at an average speed" to provide clarity about typical rates while acknowledging potential fluctuations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a typical velocity

Replaces "speed" with "velocity", offering a slightly more technical nuance.

at a normal pace

Substitutes "speed" with "pace", emphasizing the rate of movement.

with an average velocity

Changes the sentence structure while maintaining the core meaning.

at a mean rate

Replaces "average" with "mean" which is a statistical synonym.

on average

Shortens the phrase to a more concise form, implying an average speed.

at a steady speed

Focuses on the consistency of the speed rather than the average value.

at a moderate speed

Indicates a speed that is neither too fast nor too slow.

at a cruising speed

Suggests a speed suitable for long-distance travel.

at a general rate

Uses "general" to convey a common or typical speed.

at a common tempo

Employs "tempo" to imply a regular or usual speed or pace.

FAQs

How do I use "at an average speed" in a sentence?

Use "at an average speed" to describe the typical rate of movement or progress over a certain duration. For example, "The train traveled "at an average speed" of 120 mph".

What can I say instead of "at an average speed"?

You can use alternatives like "at a typical velocity", "at a normal pace", or "on average" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "at an average speed"?

Yes, "at an average speed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the typical rate of motion. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

What does "at an average speed" imply?

"At an average speed" indicates a typical or representative speed, acknowledging that the actual speed might fluctuate but generally aligns with the stated value. It is not necessarily a constant speed.