frantic speed

USAGE SUMMARY

"frantic speed" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a situation in which someone (or something) is moving at an unusually fast pace, especially when that pace is harried or desperate. For example, "He ran at a frantic speed, as if his life depended on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Its intense amplification, frantic speed and brutal repetition is purgative.

The New York Times - Arts

But more cautious advisers are telling him not to pump up an economy already pushing ahead at frantic speed.

The Economist

It had led a hard life, particularly given Terry's reputation for arriving late and dressing at frantic speed.

The Guardian

Vaha usta, working at a frantic speed, barked an order at a young waiter playing with his cell phone.

The Guardian - Travel

We were riding at a frantic speed through the streets of a southern city, which could have been Seville or Isfahan.

The New Yorker

Beside him, meanwhile, Gadsden is creating an artwork with frantic speed, fighting her own real-life fight against the dying of the light.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It underscores the dazzle-gap that has afflicted this year's field, a point that was reinforced by the serial longing among Republicans for other candidates to run and the frantic speed-dating with alternating front-runners throughout.

The New York Times

Like so many of the jokes in "Chumbale!," this one is repeated at an increasingly frantic farcical speed until at least almost everyone in the audience is made to understand the value of a good, cheap laugh.

Los Angeles Times

It had never occurred to me that the pulse and movement of traffic was not like the eddies and currents of rivers but a network of decisions made at frantic high speeds by coöperative and conflicting drivers.

The New Yorker

Will electronically mediated language — with its frantic need for speed in transmission leading to shortcuts in spelling and the elimination of spaces between words ­— influence offline communication?

The New York Times - Magazine

Once data exceeds 25G of use within a month, however, Verizon slows transfer rates to 0.5percentt of the normal speed, frantic emails between the fire department and Verizon show.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frantic speed" to vividly describe situations involving hurried, uncontrolled, and often chaotic motion, but be mindful of potential over-use in formal contexts where more neutral alternatives might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "frantic speed" when you mean efficient or optimized speed. "Frantic" implies a loss of control and potential chaos, whereas efficiency suggests control and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frantic speed" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "frantic" modifies the noun "speed". As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes a rate of motion characterized by urgency and potential chaos.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frantic speed" is a grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys rapid and uncontrolled movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and commonly found in news and media contexts. While offering a vivid description, writers should be mindful of the connotation of chaos and desperation, opting for more neutral terms like "rapid acceleration" in formal settings. Using it correctly can add impact to your writing, painting a picture of hurried and potentially disorganized motion. The examples provided highlight the phrase's versatility in describing various scenarios, from physical movement to abstract processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperate speed

Replaces "frantic" with "desperate", emphasizing the urgency and anxiety behind the speed.

frenzied pace

Substitutes "speed" with "pace" and "frantic" with "frenzied", highlighting a chaotic and uncontrolled rhythm.

manic velocity

Replaces "frantic" with "manic" and "speed" with "velocity", suggesting a wild and uncontrolled rate of motion.

breakneck pace

Uses "breakneck" to describe the pace, emphasizing the danger and high risk associated with the speed.

rapid acceleration

Focuses on the increase in speed, replacing "frantic" with the more neutral "rapid".

furious tempo

Substitutes "speed" with "tempo", changing the context to a musical or rhythmic sense of hurriedness.

uncontrolled haste

Replaces "frantic speed" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing lack of control and hurriedness.

hectic rush

Uses "hectic" to describe the rush, conveying a sense of busyness and disorder.

feverish activity

Shifts from speed to activity, using "feverish" to indicate a state of restless excitement and hurried action.

wild dash

Replaces "frantic speed" with a more figurative expression, implying a sudden and uncontrolled burst of speed.

FAQs

How can I use "frantic speed" in a sentence?

You can use "frantic speed" to describe an action done quickly and chaotically, like "The paramedics worked at a frantic speed to save the victim".

What can I say instead of "frantic speed"?

You can use alternatives like "desperate speed", "frenzied pace", or "manic velocity" depending on the context.

Is "frantic speed" too informal for academic writing?

While "frantic speed" is acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "rapid acceleration" or "accelerated pace" might be more suitable for academic writing.

What's the difference between "frantic speed" and "high speed"?

"High speed" simply indicates a great velocity, whereas "frantic speed" suggests the velocity is driven by anxiety or desperation, often implying a lack of control.