attaining speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attaining speed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of increasing velocity or reaching a certain level of speed in various contexts, such as sports, vehicles, or technology. Example: "The car was slowly attaining speed as it moved down the straightaway."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Athletes were attaining speeds at the Whistler Sliding Center far exceeding what the track was designed for, but the track was not the problem.

The New York Times - Sports

After attaining speeds of more than 30 miles an hour, we spring into the air and do four revolutions before landing on one skate, one blade that is only one-eighth an inch wide.

The New York Times

In the days of aerial "dogfights" during World War I, light machine guns were synchronized to fire through the airplane's propeller, and by the end of the war, fighters such as the German Fokker D.VII and the French Spad were attaining speeds of 135 miles (215 km) per hour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For its size 23 centimeters long and 1 kilogram in weight it may be a record-holder among other robo-quadrupeds, its developers say, attaining speeds seven times its body length per second.

Science Magazine

With sponsorship from racing magnate Frank Arciero, Kudrave is piloting a 450 horsepower Buick Wildcat in the American Racing Series, a 12-race stepping-stone tour that features 75-100 mileventsts contested with open-wheel, Indy-style cars capable of attaining speeds of 200 m.p.h.

Los Angeles Times

In rebuilt form they continued to operate until the 1960s, and were capable of attaining speeds in excess of 70 mph (110 km/h) with a greater degree of stability.

Wikipedia

The U class was a reliable and economical design more than capable of attaining speeds in excess of 70 mph as a result of being fitted with long-travel valves.

Wikipedia

Cheetahs are morphologically [ 4, 5] and physiologically [ 6, 7] adapted to running, being capable of attaining speeds in excess of 28 m s−1 [ 2, 8– 10].

Biology Letters

The easiest way to attain speed easily is hammer on and pull off.

WikiHow

Once ignited, it could attain speeds of 400 miles per hour and ranges exceeding 150 miles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The craft attained speeds approaching 32 km (20 miles) per hour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the rate at which something increases its velocity, use "attaining speed" to convey a sense of progress and achievement. For example, "The rocket was slowly "attaining speed" as it ascended into the atmosphere".

Common error

Avoid using "attaining speed" interchangeably with "maintaining speed". "Attaining" indicates a process of gaining velocity, while "maintaining" suggests holding a constant speed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attaining speed" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, typically acting as the object of a verb. It describes the action of reaching or achieving a certain velocity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attaining speed" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of reaching a certain velocity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its frequency is relatively rare, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure you're accurately depicting the process of gaining velocity, rather than maintaining a constant speed. Alternatives like "gaining velocity" or "picking up speed" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining velocity

Focuses on the rate of change of speed, emphasizing the increase in velocity.

increasing in velocity

Formally describes the rise in speed, using the term velocity.

reaching a speed

Highlights the achievement of a specific speed level.

achieving velocity

Focuses on the successful attainment of a certain velocity.

picking up speed

Suggests a gradual increase in speed over time.

speeding up to

A more informal way to describe the process of accelerating towards a certain speed.

accelerating to a speed

Emphasizes the acceleration aspect, leading to a particular speed.

building up speed

Implies a slow and steady increase in speed.

ramping up to speed

Suggests a systematic and controlled increase in speed.

gathering momentum

Implies an increase in both speed and force.

FAQs

How can I use "attaining speed" in a sentence?

You can use "attaining speed" to describe the process of something increasing its velocity. For example, "The race car was quickly "attaining speed" on the straightaway."

What are some alternatives to "attaining speed"?

Some alternatives to "attaining speed" include "gaining velocity", "reaching a speed", or "picking up speed".

Is it correct to say "attaining a speed of"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "attaining a speed of" when you want to specify the speed being reached. For example, "The aircraft was attaining a speed of 500 mph".

What's the difference between "attaining speed" and "maintaining speed"?

"Attaining speed" refers to the process of increasing velocity, whereas "maintaining speed" means keeping a constant velocity. They are not interchangeable.