crank out

USAGE SUMMARY

"crank out" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean to work quickly and efficiently, often producing a large amount of work. For example, "He can really crank out projects on short deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

– and just crank out some lyrics without thinking twice.

The Guardian - Music

So they crank out new films with old characters who already have lots of fans.

The Economist

One version of BMW's 3-cylinder engine will crank out more than 200 horsepower.

The New York Times

But even this lightened burden will require the government to crank out a larger budget surplus.

The Economist

Good for them, I say, because they continue to crank out some very nice puzzles.

The New York Times

I'm a one-man band, expected to crank out several stories a day".

The New York Times

New hires arguably have not yet settled in enough to crank out their full earnings potential.

The New York Times

It's fine to encourage society to crank out more engineers, computer technicians and health care specialists.

The New York Times

At most, a few of the parrots stare at me and crank out hearty squawks.

The New York Times

In those days, she would crank out three at a time.

The New York Times

Yes, they took ages to crank out the coffee, belching out scary noises and scalding steam.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crank out" when you want to emphasize the efficiency and volume of production, especially when the process may seem somewhat mechanical or routine. For example, a factory can "crank out" thousands of units per day.

Common error

Avoid using "crank out" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in news and general contexts, more neutral terms like "produce", "generate", or "manufacture" might be more appropriate for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crank out" functions as a verb phrase, typically used transitively. It describes the act of producing something in large quantities and often with notable speed. Ludwig's examples confirm this, showing its usage across various contexts where efficient production is highlighted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crank out" is a verb phrase used to describe the rapid and efficient production of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's acceptable in general writing, it may be less appropriate for highly formal or academic contexts. Alternatives such as "churn out" or "produce rapidly" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use "crank out" when you want to emphasize the efficiency and volume of production. The phrase is very common and easily understood, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

churn out

This alternative is very similar, implying rapid production, often of something of lower quality.

produce rapidly

Focuses on speed of production, less on the effort involved.

generate quickly

Emphasizes speed and creation, applicable to ideas or content.

whip up

Suggests quick and easy preparation, often used for food or simple tasks.

hammer out

Implies working hard to finalize something, often a plan or agreement.

dash off

Suggests creating something quickly and without much thought.

turn out

Focuses on the result of a process or action.

spit out

Implies a high rate of production, often in a mechanical way.

extrude

Relates to the industrial process of shaping material by forcing it through a die.

assemble quickly

Emphasis on bringing parts together with speed.

FAQs

How can I use "crank out" in a sentence?

You can use "crank out" to describe the act of producing something quickly and efficiently, such as "The factory can "crank out" hundreds of units per day" or "The author managed to "crank out" a novel in just a few months".

What's a good alternative to "crank out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "churn out", "produce rapidly", or "generate quickly".

Is it appropriate to use "crank out" in formal writing?

While "crank out" is widely understood, it might be too informal for certain types of writing. In formal or academic contexts, consider using more neutral terms like "produce", "manufacture", or "generate".

What does "crank out" imply about the quality of the produced item?

"Crank out" often suggests a focus on speed and volume, sometimes at the expense of quality. While not always negative, it can imply that the item was produced mechanically or without significant attention to detail.