faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "faster" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe something going at a higher speed than usual. For example: "He was running faster than ever before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Tech

Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alberto hasn't got him to run much faster, what he has done is made him stronger physically and mentally.

The Guardian - Sport

This month, the Portuguese government agreed with the main opposition party on more austerity measures to cut its deficit faster than planned, to 4.6 percent of Portugal's gross domestic product next year from 9.4 percent last year.

The New York Times

Related: ICYMI, English language is changing faster than ever, says expert.

The Guardian

Thinking they are heading uphill they accelerate – only to discover they are speeding along faster than intended.

The Guardian - Travel

The ice around the edge of Antarctica is melting faster than previously thought, potentially unlocking metres of sea-level rise in the long-term, researchers have warned.

The Guardian

We want Evernote to be like one of those airport people-movers: you get on it and it takes you somewhere, and you're moving faster than the people who aren't on it, and it's direct: there's a destination, there's progress and a measurable sense of accomplishment," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

Although Zamora did not back his body in a sprint, he was still a step ahead of Lescott and Myhill, his mind moving faster than his opponents.

The Guardian - Sport

A $6bn £4bnn) proposal for a form of transportation linking LA and San Francisco, Hyperloop would provide subsonic air travel where pods travel in a partial vacuum within a 350 mile-long tube allowing commuters to travel between the American cities in just 30 minutes (faster than even a commercial aeroplane journey).

The Guardian

He was an amazingly mature 19-year-old, and being around his father and his father's chums had educated him rather better and faster than I had been educated".

The Guardian

On growth, there was thin gruel indeed – the headline proposals on "credit easing" will require lots more explaining – and by announcing that Britain will cut carbon emissions "no faster" than any other European country, he has shredded the original Cameron slogan of "Vote Blue, Go Green" and surely picked a fight with the Tories' Lib Dem partners.

The Guardian - Opinion

Isn't it quaint how the Tories started to add the word "major" to their "world's fastest growing economy" line, when people pointed out that, say, China and India had grown faster?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing speeds, ensure that the units of measurement are consistent (e.g., miles per hour, kilometers per hour) to avoid misleading comparisons. For example, "This car is much faster than the other one."

Common error

Avoid using "faster" when you need the superlative form, which is "fastest". "Faster" is comparative, used to compare two things. Use "fastest" when indicating the highest degree of speed among three or more things. For example, say "This is the fastest car on the track", not "This is the faster car on the track".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "faster" is as a comparative adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate a greater degree of speed or rapidity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Business

15%

Less common in

Tech

10%

Lifestyle

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "faster" functions primarily as a comparative adverb, correctly used to indicate a greater degree of speed between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical accuracy and widespread acceptance. It enjoys very common usage across diverse contexts, with notable frequency in News & Media, Sports and Business. When aiming for clarity and impact, remember to differentiate it from its superlative form, "fastest", and ensure consistency in measurement units. Using alternatives like "more quickly" or "more rapidly" can add nuance, but "faster" remains a direct and effective choice for most comparisons involving speed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more quickly

Emphasizes the increased rate at which something is done.

at a higher speed

Focuses on the velocity aspect of the action.

more rapidly

Similar to 'more quickly', but suggests a more sudden or abrupt increase in speed.

with greater speed

Highlights the enhanced level of speed achieved.

at an accelerated pace

Indicates a deliberate increase in the rate of activity.

more swiftly

A more formal way of saying 'more quickly'.

at a brisker pace

Suggests a lively and energetic increase in speed.

in a quicker manner

Describes the way something is done with more speed.

at a faster rate

Focuses on the measurable increase in speed over time.

with increased velocity

A more technical and precise way of expressing greater speed.

FAQs

How can I use "faster" in a sentence?

You can use "faster" to compare the speed of two actions or objects, such as "He runs "faster than" his brother" or "This computer processes data "faster than" the old one".

What is a good substitute for the word "faster"?

Alternatives include "more quickly", "more rapidly", or "at a higher speed", depending on the specific context. Each of these options provides a slightly different nuance.

Which is correct: "faster" or "more fast"?

"Faster" is the correct comparative form of "fast". "More fast" is grammatically incorrect, so you should always use "faster".

When should I use "faster" versus "fastest"?

Use "faster" when comparing two things, like "This train is "faster than" the bus". Use "fastest" when referring to the one with the highest speed among three or more, like "This is the "fastest" car on the track".