at great pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at great pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is happening quickly or rapidly. Example: "The project progressed at great pace, allowing us to meet the deadline ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"It was played at great pace and great intensity.

The Guardian - Sport

Afridi is a wrist-spinner who spins the ball massively, and sometimes at great pace.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought he was running at great pace in the box.

The Guardian - Sport

9.13pm GMT GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 DnipRomanoman Zozulya, 47 mins) Dnipro get a free-kick on the left flank, which Rotan hits right-footed at great pace.

The Guardian - Sport

As it demonstrated against Portugal during the group stages, and against Brazil in a stunning semifinal, the Germans counterattack at great pace and punish mistakes mercilessly.

The New Yorker

Throw in the extraordinary slope and the slippery mud and Thurston would have had all on to stand up, let alone produce high-class skill at great pace.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Arnaud Héguy emerged from the bottom of a driving maul after Ngwenya, the flying machine, had approached the line at greater pace than the hooker.

The Guardian - Sport

"Bonaparte is advancing at a great pace but will never enter Paris".

The Economist

It has a good story, lots of familiar tunes, and moves along at a great pace.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Everything was privatised at a great pace," he says, "which of course gave big opportunities for all kinds of crooks".

The Economist

"They've got a very veteran defensive corps, a veteran goaltender, and their freshman forwards have really come in and scored at a great pace.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at great pace" to describe processes, developments, or actions where the speed or rate is noteworthy. It adds emphasis to the swiftness of the event, making it clear that the speed is significant.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "at great pace" can sound slightly formal or even archaic in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "quickly" or "fast" to maintain a natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at great pace" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is happening with considerable speed or rapidity, as shown by Ludwig in several examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "at great pace" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is happening quickly or rapidly. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for describing rapid progress or swift movement, especially in contexts like news reports and scientific writing. While it is more neutral in tone, one should take care not to overuse it in casual conversation in order to avoid it sounding stilted. Alternatives like "rapidly" or "quickly" may be preferable in less formal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapidly

This single-word adverb directly replaces the entire phrase, emphasizing speed.

swiftly

Similar to "rapidly", this alternative highlights quickness and efficiency.

quickly

A common and straightforward substitute, focusing on the short time taken.

expeditiously

This implies efficiency and promptness, often in a formal context.

at a rapid rate

This alternative uses a different noun to convey the idea of fast movement.

at high speed

This emphasizes the velocity or quickness of the action.

at a swift tempo

This alternative is suitable when describing something that has a tempo like a song or a performance.

with considerable speed

Replaces "great" with "considerable" keeping the general structure.

at an accelerated rate

Highlights the increasing speed of progress or movement.

at full tilt

An idiomatic expression indicating maximum speed or effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "at great pace" to describe actions or developments that are happening very quickly. For example, "The project is progressing "at great pace", thanks to the team's hard work."

What are some alternatives to "at great pace"?

Some alternatives include "rapidly", "swiftly", or "quickly". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to say "at great pace" or "at a great pace"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "at great pace" is more common and concise. "At a great pace" might be used for emphasis or in slightly more formal contexts.

When should I use "at great pace" instead of "at a fast pace"?

"At great pace" and "at a fast pace" are quite similar, but "at great pace" can sound slightly more formal or emphatic. Choose the option that best fits the overall tone and style of your writing.