at the rate of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the rate of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to refer to some type of progress or rate of change (e.g. growth, decline, increase, decrease, etc.). For example, "Revenue grew at the rate of 5% last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

at the rate of a million dollars a year . . .

The New Yorker

But even some officials of the growing airlines marvel at the rate of expansion.

The New York Times

States, in contrast, have been executing people lately at the rate of about 100 a year.

The New York Times

Greenland's volume of ice is being reduced at the rate of 375 cubic km a year.

The Guardian

The parts were factory-built, then assembled on-site at the rate of one a day.

The Guardian

Even turning my head at the rate of the hour hand.

The New Yorker

These are being repaired at the rate of 4 blocks per day.

The New Yorker

By 1885, U.S. manufacturers were pumping out machines at the rate of fifty thousand a year.

The New Yorker

It is increasing, on average, at the rate of one month every six years.

The Guardian

From then on his novels appeared at the rate of roughly one a decade.

The Guardian

The government has issued an order devaluating the quetzal at the rate of 1 10.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the rate of" to clearly express proportions, frequencies, or speeds of change in your writing. This phrase is particularly effective when illustrating trends or making comparisons.

Common error

Avoid using "at the rate of" in overly casual or informal contexts where simpler language would suffice. Overuse in everyday conversation can sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the rate of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, specifying the speed, frequency, or proportion at which something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, evident in examples that show its use to quantify change or progression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the rate of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express speed, frequency, or proportion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources. It’s most commonly found in news and media, with substantial presence also in science and formal business contexts. To enhance clarity, use "at the rate of" when you want to specify the pace of change or occurrence, but consider simpler alternatives like "per" in casual settings. Be mindful of context to maintain an appropriate tone and level of formality. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication and precise expression in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a pace of

Replaces "rate" with "pace", implying a slightly different nuance related to speed or progress.

at a speed of

Substitutes "rate" with "speed", focusing more on the velocity or quickness of something.

with a frequency of

Replaces "rate" with "frequency", emphasizing how often something occurs.

with an incidence of

Uses "incidence" instead of "rate", particularly suitable when discussing occurrences or events.

in proportion to

Shifts the focus to a proportional relationship rather than a direct rate.

corresponding to

Indicates a relationship where something changes in direct correlation with something else.

in terms of

Changes the structure to focus on describing something's characteristics.

on average

Introduces an element of averaging over a period or set of instances.

per unit of time

Provides a more formal and scientific way to express rate over a specified duration.

by measure of

Offers a more descriptive, though less common, way to express how something is quantified.

FAQs

How can I use "at the rate of" in a sentence?

You can use "at the rate of" to describe how quickly or slowly something is changing, for example: "The company was expanding "at the rate of" 10% per year".

What are some alternatives to "at the rate of"?

Alternatives include "at a pace of", "at a speed of", or "with a frequency of", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to include "at the rate of"?

No, sometimes you can simply use "per" or restructure the sentence to be more concise. For example, instead of "He earns money "at the rate of" $20 per hour", you can say "He earns $20 per hour".

What's the difference between "at the rate of" and "in proportion to"?

"At the rate of" describes a specific speed or frequency, while "in proportion to" indicates a comparative relationship. For instance, "Sales increased "at the rate of" 5% per month" versus "Effort should be applied in proportion to the task's difficulty".