at varied paces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at varied paces" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or processes that occur at different speeds or rates. Example: "The runners completed the marathon at varied paces, showcasing their individual training levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Its strong themes of friendship and self-discovery are well developed by the plot, which moves at a varied pace, but is always interesting.

The Guardian

I love the varied pace of life that working in a school provides – I can be a clown at 9am and a relationship counsellor at 10am.

The Guardian

At least, vary your pace.

WikiHow

"His varied flight and pace worried batsmen attempting too often to play him from the crease".

Wikipedia

"At this pace," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Not at walking pace".

The Guardian - Sport

"I was always running at their pace".

The New York Times - Sports

Will it continue at this pace?

The New York Times

We've moved forward at real pace.

Independent

Destruction at walking pace".

BBC

We can't continue at this pace.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at varied paces" to describe processes that naturally involve different speeds or rates of progress. For example, you might say, "The project teams progressed at varied paces, reflecting the complexity of their individual tasks."

Common error

Avoid embedding "at varied paces" within overly complex sentence structures. Keep the surrounding language clear and concise to ensure the phrase's meaning is easily understood. For example, instead of writing a long sentence where you are trying to impress the reader, break the text down to its simpler, clearer components.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at varied paces" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. Examples show it describing movement or progress.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at varied paces" serves as an adverbial phrase used to describe actions progressing at different speeds or rates. Ludwig confirms its validity, supported by examples from diverse sources, including news outlets, wikis, and scientific publications. While grammatically sound, its usage frequency is relatively low. When using "at varied paces", consider the context to ensure that it effectively conveys the intended meaning of non-uniform speed. Alternatives like "at different speeds" can provide similar meaning with potentially greater clarity in certain contexts. This phrase is mostly used in News & Media and Wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at different speeds

Replaces "paces" with the more common term "speeds", focusing on the rate of movement or activity.

at diverse tempos

Substitutes "varied" with "diverse" and "paces" with "tempos", suggesting a change in rhythm or rate.

at fluctuating rates

Replaces "varied" with "fluctuating" emphasizing irregular changes in rate.

with inconsistent rhythms

Changes the structure to highlight the lack of consistent rhythm, rather than the variety of paces.

at irregular intervals

Focuses on the spacing or timing of events, using "irregular" to convey the lack of consistency.

at shifting velocities

Emphasizes changes in speed by using "shifting velocities."

at alternating cadences

Emphasizes rhythm and flow by using "alternating cadences".

at changing gaits

Uses "gaits" to describe different manners of moving or proceeding.

at staggered timings

Highlights that the timing isn't uniform, but has irregularities.

at unequal measures

Emphasizes disparity in the scale, degree, or extent of progress or change.

FAQs

How can I use "at varied paces" in a sentence?

You can use "at varied paces" to describe actions or processes that occur at different speeds or rates. For instance, "The runners completed the race at varied paces" or "The project teams progressed at varied paces".

What are some alternatives to "at varied paces"?

Alternatives include phrases like "at different speeds", "at diverse tempos", or "at fluctuating rates", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "at varied paces" or "at a varied pace"?

"At varied paces" is generally used when referring to multiple entities or processes moving at different speeds. "At a varied pace" would be used to describe a single entity's speed changing over time.

What's the difference between "at varied paces" and "unevenly"?

"At varied paces" describes differences in speed or rate, while "unevenly" describes a lack of uniformity or smoothness. You might say something progresses "at varied paces" if different parts are moving at different speeds. Alternatively, the word "unevenly" could be used to describe a surface.