at the present rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the present rate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to discuss the current pace or speed of a situation, often in relation to future predictions or outcomes. Example: "At the present rate, we will complete the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If it continues at the present rate, it will be among the biggest ever.

The New York Times - Sports

At the present rate, landfill space in England will run out in nine years.

The Guardian

If temperatures continue to rise at the present rate it will be gone with in decades.

The Guardian

"If they continue to rise at the present rate, the reefs will be gone within decades.

The Guardian

At the present rate we'll hit 565 gigatonnes in a mere 16 years.

The Guardian - Books

"Won't take a few years at the present rate of change," he assured her.

The New Yorker

At the present rate, we have only twenty years to go.

The New Yorker

At the present rate, the Darwinian revolution, at least in America, will take just as long.

The New Yorker

At the present rate of warming, fish would have to submerge 3.5 metres every year.

The Guardian

At the present rate, upwards of seven million homes can be expected to fall into foreclosure this year and next.

The New York Times

We might well end 2002 with the lowest number of murders in four decades, about 570 at the present rate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the present rate", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured or projected. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that trends described by "at the present rate" are immutable. Always acknowledge that unforeseen factors can alter future outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the present rate" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the speed or frequency at which something is happening. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the present rate" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to project future outcomes based on current trends. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, notably in news, business, and scientific domains. While interchangeable with phrases like "at the current pace", it's crucial to avoid interpreting projections as certainties and to acknowledge potential influencing factors. This phrase serves as a valuable tool for forecasting, provided its limitations are understood and caveats are considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the current pace

Replaces "present" with "current", emphasizing the ongoing nature.

at the existing rate

Substitutes "present" with "existing", highlighting the current state.

at the ongoing rate

Uses "ongoing" to stress the continuous nature of the rate.

given the current trend

Shifts from a rate to a trend, implying a direction of change.

if the current trend continues

Adds a conditional aspect, emphasizing the uncertainty of the future.

extrapolating from current figures

Focuses on the mathematical aspect of projecting future outcomes.

projecting the current trajectory

Emphasizes the direction or path of development.

at the rate things are going

Uses a more informal and conversational tone.

with the current rate sustained

Highlights the condition where the rate stays constant

based on the present tempo

Replaces 'rate' with 'tempo', suggesting the speed of an activity or process

FAQs

How do I use "at the present rate" in a sentence?

Use "at the present rate" to project future outcomes based on current trends or speeds. For example, "At the present rate, the company's revenue will double in five years".

What can I say instead of "at the present rate"?

Alternatives include "at the current pace", "given the current trend", or "if the current trend continues", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "at the present rate" or "at the current rate"?

Both phrases are correct and largely interchangeable. "At the present rate" emphasizes the immediacy of the measurement, while "at the current rate" focuses on the ongoing situation.

What's the difference between "at the present rate" and "based on current projections"?

"At the present rate" describes an observed speed or quantity of something happening now. "Based on current projections" explicitly refers to a modeled prediction, not necessarily an observed rate.