decide the pace of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decide the pace of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing control or influence over the speed or rhythm of an activity or process. Example: "The project manager will decide the pace of the team's work to ensure deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now Beijing insists that it, not Hong Kong, will decide the pace of democratic change.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The last time General Petraeus testified on Capitol Hill, he told the House Armed Services Committee that he would not "make too much out of that" deadline because the president had not decided the pace of a withdrawal.

The New York Times

"The country needs to decide the pace and scale of domestic energy development as well as the mix among oil, natural gas, coal, renewable and nuclear we will use.

The New York Times

If they [the CEOs] don't decide the pace, someone else might do it for them".

Forbes

While it is true that President Hamid Karzai has not been a reliable ally, President Obama should decide on the pace of troop withdrawal based on national security needs in South Asia rather than the Afghan president's erratic behavior.

The New York Times

"President Obama has to decide the slope, the pace, of the withdrawal, but all indications are that he'll delay," a senior administration official recently told the New York Times.

Vice

Yesterday, the Tasmanian decided to set the pace of the game from the middle.

The Guardian - Sport

And when Mr. Mugabe's government has run short of money, officials have decided to slow the pace of redistribution.

The New York Times

The plan was in part taken off the table because the coalition decided to slow the pace of deficit reduction, preferring to break its own fiscal rules rather than go ahead with the welfare cuts.

The Guardian

The Fed minutes were released after comments from Ben S. Bernanke, the chairman, who said the Fed could decide to scale back the pace of bond purchases at one of the "next few meetings" if the recovery looked as if it would maintain positive momentum.

The New York Times

In November last year the party decided to speed up the pace of hukou reform.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "determine", "control", or "set" to add variety to your writing while maintaining the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid attributing the ability to "decide the pace of" to entities that lack actual control over the process. For instance, stating "the market decides the pace of innovation" might be misleading if other factors exert stronger influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decide the pace of" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating the ability or authority to control the speed or rate at which something progresses. It suggests agency and the power to set the tempo. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decide the pace of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating the ability or authority to control the speed or rate at which something progresses. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is prevalent across various contexts, including news, science, and business, suggesting its versatility and general acceptability. While alternatives like "determine the speed of" or "control the rate of" exist, "decide the pace of" effectively conveys the idea of setting the tempo or rhythm. Understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and appropriate contexts ensures its effective use in both formal and informal settings. It's best to ensure that the subject assigned to the action of deciding actually possesses the control being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the speed of

Replaces "pace" with "speed", a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

control the rate of

Substitutes "decide" with "control" and "pace" with "rate", both conveying the idea of managing progress.

set the tempo of

Uses "set" instead of "decide" and "tempo" to emphasize rhythm or beat, slightly altering the context.

dictate the rhythm of

Employs "dictate" to suggest a more authoritative control over the rhythm.

manage the velocity of

Replaces "pace" with "velocity", focusing on the speed of movement or change.

regulate the tempo of

Suggests a formal adjustment or control over the rhythm.

govern the swiftness of

Uses "govern" and "swiftness" to focus on controlling quickness or speed.

moderate the quickness of

Implies a reduction of the speed to a moderate level, a change in register.

orchestrate the timing of

Emphasizes careful planning and execution of timing.

influence the momentum of

Focuses on affecting the force or speed of forward movement.

FAQs

How can I use "decide the pace of" in a sentence?

You can use "decide the pace of" to indicate control over the speed or progress of an action or event. For example, "The project manager will "determine the pace of" development to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "decide the pace of"?

Alternatives include "control the speed of", "set the rate of", or "dictate the rhythm of", each subtly altering the emphasis on authority and flow.

Is it always appropriate to use "decide the pace of" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In highly formal settings, using synonyms like "regulate the rate of" or "govern the speed of" might convey a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "decide the pace of" and "influence the pace of"?

"Decide the pace of" implies direct control and authority, whereas "influence the pace of" suggests a less direct effect. To "decide" means to determine, while to "influence" means to affect without necessarily controlling.