faster than

USAGE SUMMARY

'faster than' is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to compare the speed of two or more things, as in the following example: "The new computer processor runs ten times faster than the processor it replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

WorldCom Sales Fell Faster Than Reported.

Forbes

Faster than PCs, faster than laptops and faster than smartphones".

The New York Times - Tech

They're faster than us.

The New York Times - Sports

faster than his knuckleball.

The New York Times

Not faster than a jog.

The Guardian - Sport

None started faster than Schmid.

The New York Times - Sports

Computers brake faster than humans.

The Economist

He's faster than me.

The Guardian - Music

New diseases are emerging faster than ever.

The New York Times - Health

And then they fell faster than ever.

Independent

Things are moving faster than ever.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing speeds, ensure you specify what you are comparing. For example, instead of just saying "This car is faster", say "This car is "faster than" the previous model".

Common error

Avoid using "faster than" without a clear point of reference. For example, saying "Development is "faster than" ever" is less effective than specifying a benchmark: "Development is "faster than" it was a decade ago."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faster than" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing moves, operates, or progresses at a greater speed or rate compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "faster than" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to express that something moves or operates at a greater speed or rate compared to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, with a particularly high frequency in news and media sources. While primarily functioning as a comparative adjective phrase, "faster than" serves the communicative purpose of highlighting relative quickness or efficiency. To ensure clarity, always specify what you are comparing. Consider alternatives like "more rapidly than" or "at a quicker pace than" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more rapidly than

Emphasizes the speed of an action or process, using more formal language.

at a quicker pace than

Highlights the tempo or rate at which something occurs.

more swiftly than

Similar to 'more rapidly than', but can imply gracefulness or ease in addition to speed.

at a higher velocity than

Focuses on the literal speed or rate of movement, often in a scientific or technical context.

sooner than

Indicates that something happens earlier or before another event.

ahead of

Implies being in a leading position, whether literally or figuratively.

more accelerated than

Emphasizes the increase in speed or rate.

outpacing

Suggests exceeding the pace or progress of something else.

surpassing in speed

Highlights the act of exceeding or going beyond a certain speed.

moving quicker than

A more conversational way to describe moving at a faster rate.

FAQs

How can I use "faster than" in a sentence?

Use "faster than" to compare the speed of two subjects, like "This car is "faster than" that one" or "The new software loads files "faster than" the old one".

What are some alternatives to "faster than"?

You can use phrases like "more rapidly than", "at a quicker pace than", or "more swiftly than" to express a similar comparison of speed.

Is it correct to say "more fast than" instead of "faster than"?

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

What's the difference between "faster than" and "quicker than"?

While both "faster than" and "quicker than" are used to compare speeds, "faster" typically refers to physical speed, while "quicker" can also refer to the time it takes to complete a task. They are often interchangeable, but context matters.