but fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but fast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a contrast or exception regarding speed in a statement. Example: "The car is not very powerful, but fast enough to win the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But fast moves drop jaws.

The New York Times

She was unsteady but fast.

The New Yorker

But fast, too.

The Guardian

But FAST began just 16 months ago.

The Economist

They were noisy, but fast and efficient.

Independent

Liston was big, but fast.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"But fast-forward a few years.

The New York Times

But fast-forward six years, and everything had been reversed.

The New York Times

"But fast-fashion stores have made discount shopping sexy".

The New York Times

But fast-moving, high contrast ones did fool them.

The Economist

But fast-growing emerging markets, such as China, have kept the world economy ticking over.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but fast", ensure the contrast is clear and adds meaningful nuance to the sentence. For example, "The process is complex, but fast, allowing for quick results despite its intricacy."

Common error

Avoid using "but fast" when the speed doesn't genuinely contrast with another aspect. A sentence like "He's strong, but fast" is less effective if strength and speed are naturally expected together in that context. Ensure there's an element of surprise or unexpectedness for the contrast to be meaningful.

Linguistic Context

"But fast" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two elements where the second element (speed) contrasts with an implied or stated expectation. This phrase is used to introduce an element of surprise or unexpectedness regarding the speed of something. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but fast" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to introduce a contrasting element of speed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively highlights unexpected quickness despite other limitations. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the speed aspect genuinely contrasts with another attribute for meaningful impact. Remember to consider alternatives like "yet quick" for stylistic variety. Proper usage enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretations, reinforcing the effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet quick

Replaces "but" with "yet", maintaining the contrast while using "quick" as a synonym for "fast".

although speedy

Substitutes "but" with "although", emphasizing concession, and replaces "fast" with "speedy".

however rapid

Uses "however" instead of "but" to signal contrast and "rapid" in place of "fast" to emphasize speed.

still swift

Replaces "but" with "still" to show continuation despite a contrast, and "fast" with "swift" for a more literary tone.

nevertheless quick

Employs "nevertheless" to indicate a stronger contrast and retains "quick" as a direct synonym.

even so, rapid

Uses the phrase "even so" to introduce a surprising element and "rapid" to vary the expression of speed.

despite being speedy

Highlights the unexpected speed using "despite being", which offers a different structural approach.

though rapid

Replaces "but" with "though", indicating a mild contradiction while keeping a synonymous word for fast.

while swift

Utilizes "while" to introduce a contrasting aspect of speed or quickness.

but speedy in nature

Adds "in nature" to emphasize the inherent quality of being speedy, offering a more descriptive alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "but fast" in a sentence?

Use "but fast" to indicate a surprising or unexpected speed in contrast to another quality or situation. For instance, "The car isn't luxurious, but fast enough for racing" shows that speed is a key attribute despite other shortcomings.

What are some alternatives to "but fast"?

Alternatives include "yet quick", "although speedy", or "however rapid". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "but fast" grammatically correct?

Yes, "but fast" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to create a contrast. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use.

When should I avoid using "but fast"?

Avoid using "but fast" if the speed isn't surprising or doesn't genuinely contrast with another quality in the sentence. In such cases, a simpler construction without the "but" may be more effective.