at the speed of light

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at the speed of light' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to something that is going incredibly fast. For example, "The race car zoomed down the track at the speed of light."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nostalgia moves at the speed of light.

The Guardian - Books

"They process trends at the speed of light," she said.

The New York Times - Style

Please fly here at the speed of light".

The New Yorker

This one is moving at the speed of light, unlike the Yankee-Met slowdown.

The New York Times - Sports

The feedback loop is seamless, conducted at the speed of light.

The Guardian - Opinion

This energy moves at the speed of light, characterised by its wavelength and frequency.

The Guardian

Or "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Speed of Light".

The New York Times

Leaving earth, they travel at the speed of light, going on approximately forever.

The New York Times - Arts

Because they would all continue to travel at the speed of light, just like photons do.

The Guardian

It would then propagate throughout space at the speed of light.

The New Yorker

But that communication can happen, at its very fastest, at the speed of light.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the speed of light" to emphasize the extreme quickness or rapidity of an event, process, or action. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where you want to convey a sense of immediacy and near-instantaneous occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "at the speed of light" in contexts where the action is simply fast but not exceptionally so. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact, so reserve it for situations where the speed is truly remarkable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the speed of light" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs or clauses to describe the manner in which an action occurs, specifically emphasizing its extreme rapidity. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it describes how trends process or how information moves.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the speed of light" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that vividly conveys extreme rapidity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally used to refer to something that is happening incredibly fast. While rooted in physics, its primary function is metaphorical, emphasizing swiftness across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. To maintain its impact, reserve it for situations where the speed is truly remarkable, avoiding overuse in more mundane scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with lightning speed

Emphasizes the quickness using a different metaphorical comparison.

at breakneck pace

Focuses on the high speed and potential risk involved.

in the blink of an eye

Highlights the instantaneous nature of the action.

as quick as a flash

Uses a different visual metaphor for swiftness.

in a heartbeat

Implies something happens almost immediately.

with great rapidity

A more formal way of expressing high speed.

at an accelerated rate

Focuses on the increasing speed of the process.

at full tilt

Suggests maximum speed and effort.

as fast as can be

A simpler, more direct way to express quickness.

in record time

Highlights the speed in relation to previous achievements.

FAQs

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

You can use "at the speed of light" to describe something happening extremely quickly. For example: "Information travels "at the speed of light" on the internet".

What does it mean when something is described as moving "at the speed of light"?

Describing something as moving "at the speed of light" means it is happening almost instantaneously or incredibly rapidly. It's often used metaphorically to emphasize extreme speed.

Are there any alternatives to saying "at the speed of light"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "with lightning speed", "in the blink of an eye", or "as quick as a flash" to convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to express. You can also say "with lightning speed".

Is it scientifically accurate to use "at the speed of light" metaphorically?

While the phrase is rooted in physics, its metaphorical use focuses on conveying extreme speed rather than literal accuracy. It's understood as a figure of speech to emphasize rapidity.