fastest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fastest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing speed, typically in contexts involving competition, performance, or efficiency. Example: "Usain Bolt is known as the fastest runner in the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The earnings concession on superannuation is the fastest growing tax concession in the federal budget," he planned to tell his audience.

The Guardian

Although Blair cancelled a signing event at Waterstone's in central London scheduled for today, fearing protests, the bookseller nonetheless said A Journey had become its fastest selling autobiography ever, based on first-day sales.

The Guardian - Books

A report by British Educational Research Association (Bera) and Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce shows that countries with the best performing and fastest improving education systems are putting a strong emphasis on university training for teachers.

The Guardian

I was really pushing the limit in terms of the fastest recovery from a hernia operation that anyone in British athletics has had.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He knew this in the rough and tumble of hurling, the world's fastest sport played on grass.

The Guardian

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I was four years old and I was third in my competition in the city of Cardiff, so I was the third-fastest four-year-old in Cardiff.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Poland's economy has been one of the fastest-growing in the EU, and will be among the top 20 in the world in growth terms this year, according to Bloomberg.

The Guardian

Yet in the foothills of Britain's fastest-growing town, an army of young political activists has descended – and they are determined to knock on every door.

The Guardian

"Who needs the glass ceiling when you could be running your own business in one of the world's fastest-growing economies, enjoying the warm weather and surrounded by your own people?" one returnee to Ghana told me.

The Guardian

It went straight to the top of the charts and is currently the UK's second fastest-selling album of 2013.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fastest" to describe a process or action, ensure you are comparing it to similar processes or actions. For instance, "This is the fastest way to complete the task", implies a comparison to other methods.

Common error

Avoid using "fastest" without a clear point of comparison. Saying "This car is fastest" is vague. Instead, specify: "This car is the fastest in its class" or "This car is the fastest I've ever driven".

Linguistic Context

The word "fastest" primarily functions as a superlative adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate the highest degree of speed, rate, or efficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to make comparisons, as illustrated by the example, "Usain Bolt is the fastest man on Earth."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fastest" is a superlative adjective used to denote the highest degree of speed, rate, or efficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news, sports, and business contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using "fastest", ensure a clear comparison to similar entities or processes. Remember that while it is often interchangeable with terms like "quickest" or "speediest", the specific nuance may vary. Always specify the group to which the comparison is being made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quickest

Indicates the least amount of time taken to complete something, closely mirroring "fastest" but with a slightly different connotation.

speediest

Highlights the characteristic of achieving high speed, similar to "fastest" but perhaps more formal.

swiftest

Suggests a smooth and rapid movement, comparable to "fastest" but implying grace or ease.

most rapid

Emphasizes the quickness of action or movement; focuses on the rate at which something occurs.

record-breaking

Highlights surpassing a previously established benchmark for speed or rate.

top speed

Focuses on the maximum velocity attained, rather than just the comparative speed.

peak velocity

A more technical term referring to the maximum rate of change in position over time.

leading the pack

Suggests being ahead of all others in terms of speed or progress, particularly in a competitive context.

frontrunner

Indicates being in the lead, specifically in a race or competition.

most expeditious

Focuses on efficiency and promptness in completing a task, rather than pure speed.

FAQs

How do I use "fastest" in a sentence?

Use "fastest" to indicate the highest speed achieved among a group or set. For example, "Usain Bolt is the "fastest man on Earth"".

What are some synonyms for "fastest"?

Alternatives include "quickest", "speediest", and "swiftest". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'more fast' instead of "fastest"?

No, "more fast" is grammatically incorrect. Use "faster" for the comparative form and "fastest" for the superlative form.

What's the difference between "fastest" and "quickest"?

While often interchangeable, "fastest" generally refers to actual speed, while "quickest" can also imply efficiency or ease. For example, the "fastest" car is the one with the highest velocity; the "quickest" way to solve a problem might be the most efficient one.