in a speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a speed" is not a grammatically correct part of a sentence and is not commonly used in written English.
It is possible that this phrase has been borrowed from a different language or context, but in standard English, it is not considered a valid phrase. Instead, a more common way to express the idea of speed in a sentence would be to use the preposition "at" or "with" before the word "speed." For example, "I was traveling at a high speed on the highway" or "He ran with great speed to catch the bus." However, if you are writing dialogue for a character who speaks English as a second language, it could be appropriate to use this phrase to convey their unique manner of speaking. For example, "I was driving in a speed on the road!" In this case, the use of "in a speed" adds a touch of authenticity to the character's speech.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"I want to be preserved in a speed bump," he tells me.

The Guardian

Florida made sure the game was played in a speed and pace that it likes.

The New York Times - Sports

Carlsen tied with Fabiano Caruana, then crushed the Italian 2-0 in a speed play-off.

The Guardian - Sport

The two supernatants were dried in a speed vacuum, resuspended in water, and combined.

Nature

"And when snowboarding came, and free riding, it became uncool to be in a speed suit".

The New York Times - Sports

A 50 μl aliquot of supernatant was taken and dried down in a speed vacuum.

Rice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Some people prefer to concentrate the DNA after completed digestion by simply placing the tube in a speed-vac.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fig. 3 Acceleration represented in a speed-time graph (left) and turtle graphics (right).

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

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Vice

The fractions were collected and lyophilized in a Speed-Vac.

Plosone

After vortexing and centrifugation the soluble metabolites were dried in a speed-vac concentrator.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing motion or velocity, prefer using the preposition "at" or "with" before nouns like "speed", "pace", or "velocity". For example, use "at a certain speed" or "with great speed" instead of "in a speed".

Common error

Avoid using "in" to describe speed; it's grammatically incorrect. Phrases like "in a hurry" or "in a rush" are idiomatic exceptions, but "in a speed" doesn't follow this pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a speed" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to modify a verb or noun. However, based on Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Instead, "at a certain speed" or "with great speed" are preferred.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a speed" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While it appears in some contexts, particularly Science and News & Media, it's recommended to use alternative phrases like "at a certain speed" or "with great speed" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase's infrequent use and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for formal or academic writing. Always prioritize correct preposition usage to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at top speed

Directly states the highest possible speed, using the correct preposition "at".

at a rapid pace

Replaces "speed" with "pace" and uses the preposition "at" for grammatical correctness.

at high velocity

Substitutes "speed" with "velocity" and uses "at" for correct prepositional usage.

with great haste

Emphasizes the quickness of action, replacing "speed" with "haste" and using "with" for natural phrasing.

at a fast tempo

Uses "tempo" to suggest speed, particularly in music or rhythmic activities, and employs the correct preposition "at".

in rapid motion

Focuses on the act of moving quickly, replacing "speed" with "motion" and using a different construction.

at full throttle

Emphasizes maximum speed, typically in mechanical or vehicular contexts, using "at" for proper grammar.

with considerable swiftness

Highlights the quickness of movement, replacing "speed" with "swiftness" and using "with".

at an accelerated rate

Focuses on the rate of change in speed, using the proper preposition "at".

in quick succession

Indicates actions happening rapidly one after another, differing from continuous speed.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "speed" in a sentence?

Use prepositions like "at" or "with" to describe speed. For example, say "traveling "at a high speed"" or "moving "with great speed"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "in a speed"?

Instead of "in a speed", consider using phrases like "at a rapid pace", "at high velocity", or "with great haste".

Is it grammatically correct to say "in a speed"?

No, the phrase "in a speed" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Using "at" or "with" is preferred. Example: "The car was moving "at a high speed"".

Which is the correct preposition to use with speed: "at", "in", or "with"?

While "in" is generally incorrect, "at" and "with" are commonly used depending on the context. You might say "The data was processed "with speed"" or "The car approached "at a high speed"".