in a fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a fast" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a period of fasting, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "During the religious observance, many participants choose to abstain from food and drink, engaging in a fast."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

They left in a fast boat," he said.

The Guardian

This resulted in a fast solubilisation of protein pellets.

BMC Genomics

You've said that technologically, we're in a fast, weird place.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I feel it conducts in a fast four".

The New Yorker

"We live in a fast world," he says.

The Guardian - Books

So he's doing it in a fast, ambitious way.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

In a fast-paced market, connections matter.

The New York Times

We're in a fast-moving world".

The Guardian

In a fast-moving industry, rules become irrelevant quickly.

The New York Times

Lily works in a fast-food place, too.

The New York Times

In a fast-moving game, things happen in seconds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing "in a fast" to alternatives like "rapidly", "quickly", or "at a fast pace" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. The original phrase, according to Ludwig AI, is not considered correct.

Common error

Avoid using "in a fast" as a general modifier for actions or processes. It's often misused where adverbs like "quickly" or phrases like "at a fast pace" are more appropriate. Relying on "in a fast" can lead to grammatically incorrect sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a fast" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, but it's often used incorrectly. As Ludwig AI notes, the construction is considered grammatically unsound, and the extracted examples reflect varied attempts to describe speed or rapid action. Therefore, it does not adhere to standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in a fast" appears in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, suggesting that it is better to use alternatives such as "rapidly", "quickly", or "at a fast pace" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. The phrase is relatively common, appearing in news, scientific, and academic sources. However, its usage should be carefully reconsidered in formal writing to avoid grammatical errors and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a fast pace

This phrase retains the idea of speed but uses a more standard grammatical construction.

rapidly

This adverb replaces the prepositional phrase with a single word expressing quickness.

quickly

Similar to 'rapidly', this adverb provides a more direct and grammatically sound alternative.

with speed

This prepositional phrase highlights the presence of speed as a key characteristic.

swiftly

Emphasizes the quick and immediate nature of an action.

in a speedy manner

Rephrases to emphasize the manner in which something is done, highlighting its speed.

in rapid succession

This alternative emphasizes the close temporal sequence of events.

at high speed

This suggests a great velocity or rate of movement.

expeditiously

A more formal adverb indicating efficiency and speed.

promptly

This term focuses on the immediate and timely nature of an action.

FAQs

Is "in a fast" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "in a fast" is not considered grammatically correct in written English. It's advisable to use alternatives that provide better clarity.

What can I say instead of "in a fast"?

You can use alternatives like "rapidly", "quickly", or "at a fast pace" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "in a fast"?

While generally not recommended due to grammatical concerns, "in a fast" might be used to describe the state of being during a period of fasting, although other alternatives such as "during a fast" may work better.

How does "in a fast" compare to "at a fast pace"?

"At a fast pace" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the speed at which something is done, while "in a fast" is considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Consider rephrasing to improve clarity and correctness.