better be fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better be fast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that someone should hurry or act quickly in a given situation. Example: "If we want to catch the bus, we better be fast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It had better be useful, it better be fast, and it better be free," he said, exaggerating only slightly.

The New York Times

"This transition better be seamless and it better be fast, because there is no time to lose," said Senator Robert G. Torricelli, Democrat of New Jersey.

The New York Times

If you're in logistics, you'd better be fast.

Forbes

So lower cost, yes, but better be fast and furious.

TechCrunch

If you see a house you want — especially in a town with highly ranked public schools, such as South Pasadena — you'd better be fast and aggressive, because listings are at historic highs in some areas, bidding wars are routine and offers are soaring way above asking.

Los Angeles Times

If you use a high speed printer, you'd better be fast because the document will be printed out before you know it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As A. J. Liebling said of himself, nobody who writes faster can write better, and nobody better is faster.

The New York Times

"Makes teams better" is fast-becoming both an essential ingredient to getting hired and a mission-critical skill-set worth measuring.

Harvard Business Review

The great media critic A.J. Liebling was fond of saying about himself, in comparison to other writers, and we paraphrase: "No one better was faster, and no one faster was better".

The New York Times

When is it better to be fast than accurate, or vice versa?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On rare occasions, it could be a tough kid, but you better be really fast, and I was never fast.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better be fast" when you want to strongly suggest that someone needs to act quickly and efficiently. It implies a sense of urgency and potential negative consequences if they don't.

Common error

Avoid using "better be fast" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more polite or diplomatic tone is required. Opt for alternatives like "it's crucial to act quickly" or "prompt action is necessary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better be fast" functions as an imperative, urging immediate and swift action. It's a directive, emphasizing the necessity of speed in a given situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better be fast" is an imperative used to strongly suggest acting quickly, carrying a sense of urgency. While grammatically correct and usable as per Ludwig AI, its informality restricts its use in formal contexts. Examples from Ludwig highlight its common appearance in news and media. For more formal scenarios, consider alternatives such as "it is imperative to be quick" or "swift action is required".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you'd better hurry

Replaces the more direct imperative with a conditional structure, softening the command.

you better make it quick

Emphasizes the speed aspect of the task, using a slightly different structure.

you should be swift

Uses "should" for a softer, advisory tone, and replaces "fast" with "swift".

ensure you're quick

Shifts the focus to ensuring quickness as a priority.

it must be done quickly

Changes the sentence to a passive construction emphasizing the action being done quickly.

has to be fast

A more concise expression requiring speed.

you need to step on it

Uses a more informal idiom to convey urgency.

get a move on

Employs a common idiom for urging someone to hurry.

don't delay

A direct command to avoid any delays.

time is of the essence

Highlights the importance of acting quickly due to limited time.

FAQs

How can I use "better be fast" in a sentence?

You can use "better be fast" to express the necessity of speed. For example: "If we want to catch the train, we "better be fast"."

What's a more formal alternative to "better be fast"?

In formal settings, consider alternatives such as "it is imperative to be quick" or "swift action is required" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "better be fast" grammatically correct?

Yes, "better be fast" is grammatically acceptable in informal contexts. However, it's crucial to understand its register and use it appropriately.

When should I avoid using the phrase "better be fast"?

Avoid using "better be fast" in situations that demand a high degree of formality, such as academic papers, business reports, or interactions with superiors. In these cases, opt for more sophisticated language.