faster than that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "faster than that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the speed of something to a previously mentioned speed or standard. Example: "If you want to win the race, you need to run faster than that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even Congress moves faster than that.

The New York Times

Some fans were going to drive home faster than that.

The New York Times - Sports

Continents drift away faster than that!" The creek flowed slowly.

The New Yorker

However, life expectancy is rising faster than that.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will rise with inflation, but no faster than that.

The Guardian - Opinion

But we need to do something faster than that.

The Guardian

Mr. McHale rebounded a little faster than that.

The New York Times - Arts

Even without drones, Amazon Prime could probably even get it there faster than that.

The Guardian - Tech

In much of New Jersey, prices were climbing faster than that.

The New York Times

It needs to be faster than that.

TechCrunch

Nothing turns people off faster than that.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "faster than that", ensure the context clearly establishes what "that" refers to. Clarity prevents ambiguity and enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "faster than that" without a clear antecedent for "that". Ensure the reader knows what baseline speed or rate you are comparing against.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faster than that" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of comparison, modifying a verb by indicating the degree to which an action exceeds a previously established rate or speed. As shown by Ludwig AI, it appears in varied contexts to highlight a difference in pace or velocity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "faster than that" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to emphasize that something exceeds a previously mentioned speed or rate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts. To ensure clarity, always provide a clear antecedent for "that". While alternatives like "more quickly than that" exist, "faster than that" remains a direct and widely understood way to express relative speed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more quickly than that

Replaces "faster" with "more quickly", offering a slightly more formal tone but retaining the core meaning.

swifter than that

Replaces "faster" with "swifter", providing a more elegant, though somewhat archaic, alternative.

more rapidly than that

Uses "more rapidly" instead of "faster", emphasizing the quickness or pace of the action.

at a higher speed than that

Substitutes "faster" with "at a higher speed", providing a more descriptive and less direct comparison.

at a brisker pace than that

Replaces "faster" with "at a brisker pace", implying a lively or energetic speed.

at an accelerated rate compared to that

Offers a more formal alternative, highlighting the accelerated nature of the rate being discussed.

with greater acceleration than that

Focuses on the acceleration aspect rather than just speed, suitable when the rate of increase in speed is important.

with more haste than that

Implies acting with greater urgency or speed than the reference point.

more expeditiously than that

Substitutes "faster" with "more expeditiously", suggesting efficiency and speed in achieving a result.

outpacing that

Conveys the idea of surpassing or exceeding the speed of something else.

FAQs

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

Use "faster than that" to compare the speed of something to a previously mentioned speed. For example, "The car was going 80 mph, but the motorcycle was going "faster than that"".

What are some alternatives to "faster than that"?

You can use alternatives like "more quickly than that", "more rapidly than that", or "at a higher speed than that" depending on the specific context.

Is "faster than that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "faster than that" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows the standard comparative structure.

When is it appropriate to use "faster than that" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is moving or progressing more quickly compared to a known reference point. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.