fast than usual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fast than usual" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "faster than usual"? You can use "faster than usual" to describe a speed that exceeds the normal or expected pace in various contexts, such as work, travel, or performance. Example: "Today, I completed my tasks faster than usual, allowing me to leave the office early."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I had gone to the Capitol wearing an orange scarf -- not a black burqa -- and was forced to deal with a more intense fast than usual because of my decision to stand for women's rights and health and engage in the democratic process.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Even my laptop is running faster than usual," she wrote.

The New Yorker

He fell asleep faster than usual, and stayed asleep.

The New Yorker

In fact, the majority (58%) believe healthcare spending has been rising faster than usual.

The Guardian

Clearly these records (if they were actual records) were being spun a little faster than usual.

The New York Times

One reason this "Don Carlo" went by faster than usual was its depth of casting.

The New York Times - Arts

This year, however, filling the tank may empty the wallet rather faster than usual.

The Economist

The Dallas Cowboys got to their typical late-season meltdown much faster than usual last year.

The New York Times

During the winter of 1996, a car pulled down the driveway much faster than usual.

The New York Times

At the moment, Mr. Lazio seems to be moving even faster than usual.

The New York Times

At Egyptian newsstands on Sunday, one paper sold faster than usual.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the comparative form "faster" instead of "fast" when comparing speeds or rates. For example, say "complete tasks faster than usual" rather than "fast than usual".

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "fast" when the adverb "faster" is required for comparison. "Fast" describes a noun, while "faster" compares the speed of an action or process to another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fast than usual" is intended to function as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the speed at which an action is performed. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the correct phrasing is "faster than usual".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fast than usual" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "faster than usual". Ludwig AI confirms this, emphasizing the need for the comparative adverb "faster". While the intended meaning is to indicate something happening more quickly than normal, it's crucial to use the correct grammatical structure to maintain clarity and credibility. The phrase appears rarely, primarily in news media, and benefits from being replaced with options such as "more quickly than usual" or "quicker than usual".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faster than normal

Replaces "usual" with "normal", maintaining the core meaning of exceeding the typical pace, using correct comparative form.

more quickly than usual

Uses "quickly" instead of "fast" to emphasize the speed and adds "more" to correct the comparative structure.

at a faster pace than usual

Emphasizes the rate of progress by using "pace" and corrects the comparative form with "faster".

more rapidly than usual

Substitutes "rapidly" for "fast", providing a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the meaning.

quicker than usual

Replaces "fast" with "quicker", offering a simpler alternative that still conveys the increased speed.

sooner than usual

Shifts the focus to time instead of speed, indicating an earlier occurrence than typically expected.

ahead of schedule

Indicates completing something before the anticipated time, relating to doing something more quickly.

more swiftly than usual

Uses "swiftly" to denote speed, offering a slightly more elegant and descriptive alternative.

with increased speed

Highlights the elevated velocity of an action or process, maintaining a neutral tone.

at an accelerated rate

Focuses on the rate of increase, suggesting a faster progression compared to the norm.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is quicker than normal?

The correct phrase is "faster than usual". The word "fast" is an adjective, but when making comparisons the adverbial form "faster" must be used.

Can I use "fast than usual" in a sentence?

No, "fast than usual" is grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative form is "faster than usual".

What are some alternatives to saying "faster than usual"?

Alternatives include "more quickly than usual", "at a faster pace than usual", or "quicker than usual".

Is there a difference between "faster than usual" and "fast than usual"?

Yes, "faster than usual" is grammatically correct and means something is happening at a quicker pace than normal. "Fast than usual" is incorrect because it uses the adjective "fast" instead of the adverb "faster" for comparison.