at fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at fast" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a mistaken combination of words, possibly intended to convey a sense of speed or urgency. Example: "The car was moving at fast speeds down the highway."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But why stop at fast food when there are so many other stores that need combination?

The New Yorker

He's a manager at fast food restaurants".

The Guardian

You can get salads at fast food places too.

Harvard University

Mr. Seidman, 87, is no slouch at fast doggerel himself.

The New York Times

Spectral methods were advantageous at fast and non-reagent measurement.

Infrared Physics & Technology

At fast cooling rates, the homogeneous nucleation is dominated.

Polymer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

She applied mostly at fast-food places and at Walmart.

The New York Times - Sports

"And quite frankly, salads are available at fast-food restaurants".

The New York Times

Shriver is brilliant at fast-paced exchanges such as this.

The Guardian - Books

The fryers at fast-food chains bubble with it.

The New York Times

He worked mostly at fast-food restaurants, and for a time lived with his sister.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at fast" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "at high speed" or "at a rapid pace".

Common error

Don't assume "at fast" is a correct prepositional phrase to describe speed. Double-check your grammar and use established phrases such as "at high speed" or rewrite the sentence to use an adverb like "quickly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at fast" functions as a prepositional phrase, though it's grammatically incorrect. The intended function is to modify a verb or noun, indicating the speed or rate at which something occurs. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a mistaken combination of words.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at fast" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, noting that it's a mistaken combination of words. While it may occasionally appear in informal contexts, opting for grammatically correct alternatives such as "at high speed" or "at a rapid pace" will enhance clarity and professionalism. Though some sources provide examples of its usage, the low expert rating and overall grammatical issues indicate that it is best to use other alternatives. The analysed authoritative sources also suggest a limited usage of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at high speed

Replaces the adjective with a noun, providing a grammatically correct construction.

at a rapid pace

Uses a noun phrase to convey the idea of speed, correcting the grammatical error.

at a quick rate

Employs a different noun to express velocity, fixing the grammatical issue.

at full speed

Indicates maximum velocity within the given context, offering a more specific meaning.

at top speed

Similar to "at full speed", but emphasizes the highest possible velocity.

with haste

Replaces the preposition "at" with "with" and uses a different noun to indicate quickness.

at an accelerated rate

Uses an adjective to convey the increasing speed, providing a grammatically sound alternative.

at a brisk pace

Suggests a lively and quick tempo or speed.

at a cracking pace

A colloquial expression denoting high speed or intensity.

in a flash

Conveys the idea of something happening very quickly or instantaneously.

FAQs

Why is "at fast" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "at fast" is not grammatically correct because "fast" is typically used as an adjective or adverb, not a noun. You need a noun to follow the preposition "at", so you should use a phrase like "at high speed" instead.

What can I say instead of "at fast" to describe something moving quickly?

You can use alternatives like "at high speed", "at a rapid pace", or simply use the adverb "quickly" depending on the context.

Is there a situation where "at fast" would be acceptable?

While technically incorrect, "at fast" might appear in informal speech or creative writing for stylistic effect. However, in formal or professional contexts, it's best to avoid it and use more grammatically sound alternatives.

How can I avoid making mistakes with phrases like "at fast"?

Pay attention to the grammatical role of words in your sentences. If you're unsure, consult a grammar guide or use a tool like Ludwig to check your sentence for errors and suggest more appropriate phrasing.