gaining speed

USAGE SUMMARY

"gaining speed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is gradually and quickly increasing in speed. For example, "The train was gaining speed as it pulled away from the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That process is gaining speed.

The New York Times

"This is a snowball gaining speed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Exchanges are gaining speed and attention.

The Washington Post

"Their families," he added, gaining speed, "have been in government.

The New York Times - Magazine

He sees signs of the economy gaining speed.

The New York Times

The German economy is gaining speed and growth in the third quarter should again be robust.

The Guardian - Business

Climbing and gaining speed, the silver-gray fighter raced southeast toward the Atlantic.

The New York Times

Because economic downturns these days have a way of gaining speed as they circle the globe.

The New York Times

"We are already training and certifying practitioners," he said, his voice gaining speed.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Yankees are gaining speed, with two more stops to go before the World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

However, notions of the need to appease Russia are gaining speed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or trend that is intensifying, use "gaining speed" to convey the idea that it is becoming more rapid or powerful. For instance, "The adoption of electric vehicles is gaining speed."

Common error

Avoid using "gaining speed" in contexts where a decrease in time is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The project is gaining speed," consider "The project's timeline is accelerating" if you mean it's finishing faster, not necessarily becoming more active.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaining speed" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often part of a continuous verb tense. It describes the act of something increasing its velocity. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is both correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gaining speed" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes the process of something increasing in velocity or intensity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "accelerating" or "picking up momentum" offer subtle differences in meaning, "gaining speed" remains a clear and effective way to convey the idea of something becoming more rapid or powerful. To avoid misuse, ensure the context aligns with a genuine increase in velocity or intensity rather than simply a reduction in time. When writing content, using "gaining speed" is a strong way to indicate the rapid development of a particular trend or process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accelerating

Implies a rapid increase in speed, emphasizing the rate of change.

picking up momentum

Focuses on the increasing force or impetus behind a movement or process.

gathering pace

Suggests a gradual accumulation of speed or tempo.

building up speed

Emphasizes the process of gradually increasing velocity.

getting faster

A more direct and simple way to express an increase in speed.

ramping up

Suggests an increase in activity or intensity, often related to production or effort.

gaining momentum

Focuses on the increase in force or impetus, often in a figurative sense.

gathering speed

Emphasizes the act of collecting or accumulating velocity.

getting up to speed

Focuses on reaching a required or expected level of speed or performance.

developing speed

Highlights the process of speed improvement through effort or progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "gaining speed" to describe anything that is increasing in velocity or intensity. For example: "The car was "accelerating" and "gaining speed"" or "The movement for social change is "picking up momentum" and "gaining speed"".

What are some alternatives to "gaining speed"?

Some alternatives to "gaining speed" include "accelerating", "picking up momentum", or "gathering pace", depending on the specific context you are trying to convey.

Is it correct to say "gaining speed" or should I use another phrase?

"Gaining speed" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English. Its appropriateness depends on the context. If you want to convey a slightly different nuance, consider alternatives like "building up speed" or "ramping up".

What's the difference between "gaining speed" and "gaining momentum"?

While both phrases imply an increase, "gaining speed" typically refers to a literal increase in velocity. "Gaining momentum" is often used more figuratively to describe an increase in force, influence, or support for something. Therefore "gaining momentum" applies more to processes.