fast as though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fast as though" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to compare speed or quickness to a hypothetical situation, but it is not commonly used. Example: "He ran fast as though he were being chased by a bear."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The painter had spent all those months making the celebrities look beatific, and he'd just whipped off the Ronsons really fast, as though he'd done them the night before, as a hostile afterthought.

The Guardian - Arts

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt). said this past week that he had never seen an executive order end up on the wrong side of a federal court so fast — as though a challenge to an executive order was itself an unprecedented moment in history.

The Washington Post

This was not a performance for all tastes -- I found its demeanor rather fierce and its tempos unrelentingly fast, as though the symphony had been (as Quaker used to claim for its Puffed Rice) "shot from guns". But there could be no denying the vitality of Robertson's interpretation: He plotted the symphony as four grand and vehement dances, all of which crackled with electricity and excitement.

The Washington Post

Instead, the fish picked one insect, typically the one that would land closest to them, and got to the eventual splashdown as fast as though there had been no distractions, the researchers report in the 4 January issue of Science.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Soon, we were slaloming across a series of rutted pistes, taking the curves fast and tight, as though the cars were on skis.

The New Yorker

As fast as companies arise, though, they seem to get bought by I.B.M., Mr. Goodnight said.

The New York Times

He continues on foot, fast as he can though less agile than usual.

Vice

Fast as I moved, though, I came up a little short and couldn't get all the way around his huge head.

HuffPost

Fast as hell though.

TechCrunch

(Marine maneuvers in which we d fire every goddamn weapon we had as fast as possible, though sometimes the minute could slop over into an hour or two. And while I m at it, you can"t imagine how beautiful they are, the float and twitch of the tracers, the flares settling to earth).

Forbes

As fast as this growth is, though, some in the Chinese travel industry warn that the world is not adapting fast enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fast as though", consider if a more common and natural-sounding alternative like "quickly as if" or a more direct comparison would improve clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "fast as though" in formal writing, as it can sound awkward or less polished. Opt for more concise or standard expressions to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fast as though" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies both the speed and the implied reason or comparison for the action. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase is acceptable although not very common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fast as though" functions as an adverbial phrase to describe the manner of an action, conveying both speed and an implied reason. While grammatically acceptable, it is not as common as other similar phrases and may sound slightly awkward in some contexts. As Ludwig AI correctly notes, its acceptability balances with its potentially less natural sound. More natural alternatives include "quickly as if" or "swiftly as though". When writing, consider whether a more direct comparison or standard expression would improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as fast as if

A more literal rephrasing that emphasizes the speed and condition.

as quick as if

A simpler rephrasing that substitutes "fast" with "quick".

quickly as if

Replaces "fast" with "quickly" and maintains the conditional comparison.

swiftly as though

Uses "swiftly" to emphasize speed with a more formal tone.

rapidly as if

Employs "rapidly" to highlight the quick pace and uses "as if" to indicate the comparison.

with the speed of

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct comparison of speed.

at a rapid pace as if

Adds emphasis to the pace while maintaining the comparison structure.

at full speed as if

Highlights maximum speed while maintaining the comparison.

like a shot

Uses an idiom to describe moving very quickly.

at breakneck speed as though

Emphasizes extreme speed with a touch of exaggeration.

FAQs

What does "fast as though" mean?

"Fast as though" implies moving or acting quickly in a manner that suggests a specific reason or comparison. It indicates both speed and a sense of purpose or urgency, often hypothetical.

How can I use "fast as though" in a sentence?

You can use "fast as though" to describe someone's rapid action and compare it to a hypothetical scenario. For example: "He ran "quickly as if" he were being chased."

What are some alternatives to "fast as though"?

Alternatives include "quickly as if", "swiftly as though", or "rapidly as if". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "fast as though" grammatically correct?

While "fast as though" isn't incorrect, it's less common than other similar phrases. Using alternatives might improve clarity and flow. Ludwig considers it Acceptable.