at varying speeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at varying speeds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or processes that occur at different rates or velocities. Example: "The cars on the highway were moving at varying speeds, creating a chaotic traffic situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Time moves at varying speeds for a boxer.

Independent

Hollande said his approach was "a Europe that advances at varying speeds, with different circles.

The Guardian

They are eerily robotic and satanic, and at times interchangeable windup imps set at varying speeds.

The New York Times

The movies enabled visual artists to freeze blocks of time and analyze them at varying speeds.

The New York Times

The treadmill was operated by a bicycle, so it could move at varying speeds.

The New York Times

At varying speeds, Ricoh's story is being played out all over the quake-affected parts of Japan.

The New York Times

Using small sand eel imitations and floating lines, we dragged our flies at varying speeds through a welter of breaking bass for two hours without a hit.

The New York Times - Sports

As the performance progressed, this circle narrowed, player by player at varying speeds, until they were all seated on the platform with Mr. Finckel.

The New York Times

One student, an accomplice of the researchers, would read individual letters from a chart for the other to type, at varying speeds.

The New Yorker

Their leads eventually faded, albeit at varying speeds: Gingrich and Giuliani's in four weeks, Dean and Clinton's over eight and nine weeks respectively.

The Guardian

When you sleep, your eyes keep moving — though in different ways and at varying speeds, depending on the stage of sleep.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes that naturally have different rates, use "at varying speeds" to clearly indicate this variability.

Common error

Avoid using "at varying speeds" when describing situations where the speed is constant or irrelevant. For example, it's incorrect to say "The paint dried at varying speeds" unless you're specifically highlighting inconsistencies in the drying process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at varying speeds" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable status of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at varying speeds" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe actions or processes that occur at different rates or velocities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its frequency is very common, appearing across diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. The phrase indicates non-uniformity and dynamism in how something progresses, making it valuable for precise and descriptive writing. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the changing pace of the subject being described. Alternatives like "at different rates" or "at fluctuating velocities" can offer nuanced shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at variable velocities

Swaps "varying" for "variable", keeping a formal tone and meaning.

at different rates

Replaces "speeds" with "rates", focusing on the measure of change over time.

with changing velocities

Highlights the alteration of speed using "changing" instead of "varying".

at fluctuating velocities

Substitutes "varying" with "fluctuating" and "speeds" with "velocities", emphasizing irregular changes in speed.

at shifting rates

Implies a change in speed using "shifting" instead of "varying".

with differing tempos

Uses "tempos" to suggest a rate or pace, often in a rhythmic context.

at diverse paces

Replaces "varying" with "diverse" and "speeds" with "paces", indicating a range of rates of movement or progress.

at staggered speeds

Indicates that the speeds are not uniform or synchronized.

at irregular rhythms

Uses "rhythms" to convey a patterned sequence with changing speeds.

at asymmetrical rates

Emphasizes the lack of symmetry or balance in the different rates.

FAQs

How can I use "at varying speeds" in a sentence?

You can use "at varying speeds" to describe processes or movements that occur with different velocities or rates. For instance: "The assembly line machines operated "at varying speeds", affecting the overall production rate."

What are some alternatives to saying "at varying speeds"?

Alternatives include phrases like "at different rates", "at fluctuating velocities", or "at diverse paces" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "at various speeds" or "at varying speeds"?

"At various speeds" and ""at varying speeds"" are largely interchangeable. "Varying" emphasizes a continuous range of speeds, while "various" simply indicates multiple speeds.

What's the difference between "at varying speeds" and "at constant speed"?

"At varying speeds" implies that the speed changes, while "at constant speed" indicates that the speed remains the same throughout a process or movement.