it was fastest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was fastest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the speed of something in the past, indicating that it was the quickest option among others. Example: "In the race, it was fastest, leaving all the competitors behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Women described different therapeutic approaches, stating they generally preferred modern medicine for contraception as it was fastest and most powerful.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It was fast".

The New York Times

I think it was fast!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"And it was faster," Ms. Coyne said.

The New York Times

I just wish it was faster".

The New York Times

It was fast, easy and satisfying.

The New York Times

It was fast and entertaining.

The Guardian - Books

It was faster, Ms. Frankel says.

The New York Times

"To you it was fast".

The New Yorker

It was fast, that's for sure".

The New York Times

It was faster and thrashier.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as the "it was fastest", ensure that you've established a clear comparison group or context. This provides clarity to the reader as to what is being compared. For example, 'Of all the available options, "it was fastest"'.

Common error

Avoid using "it was fastest" as a blanket statement without a clear context. Without a comparison, the statement lacks meaning. Provide context by explaining what alternatives were slower.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was fastest" serves as a descriptive statement indicating that something had the highest speed compared to other options. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, showing its role in comparative descriptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was fastest" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate superior speed in a comparative context. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, the phrase appears in both news and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, always provide a clear comparison group when using this phrase. Alternatives like "it was the quickest" or "it was the speediest" can be considered for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was the quickest

Replaces 'fastest' with the synonym 'quickest'.

it was the speediest

Uses 'speediest', another synonym for 'fastest', providing a slightly more formal tone.

it was the most rapid

Employs 'rapid' to convey the sense of high speed.

it had the highest velocity

Replaces the general term 'fastest' with the more scientific term 'velocity'.

it achieved peak velocity

Implies a maximum speed was reached.

it was unparalleled in speed

Highlights the unmatched nature of the speed.

its speed was unmatched

Focuses on the speed being superior to others.

it outpaced everything else

Emphasizes that it surpassed everything in terms of speed.

nothing else was as fast

Highlights its speed by stating that no alternatives were faster

its pace was unmatched

Expresses the concept of being the fastest by focusing on the pace being superior.

FAQs

How can I use "it was fastest" in a sentence?

You can use "it was fastest" to compare the speed of something to alternatives, for example: "Among all the methods, "it was fastest" for completing the task".

What's a more formal way to say "it was fastest"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "it was the most rapid" or "it was the speediest". These alternatives offer a slightly elevated level of formality.

Is "it was fastest" always grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, the phrase "it was fastest" requires context. Ensure you're comparing something to a defined set of alternatives to make the statement meaningful.

What can I use instead of "it was fastest" when comparing multiple options?

If comparing more than two items, consider using "it was the fastest". This clarifies that you are identifying the single quickest option among many.