make fast

USAGE SUMMARY

"make fast" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a verb phrase meaning to secure or fasten something. Example: Please make fast your seatbelts before the plane takes off.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You have to make fast decisions.

The New York Times - Arts

Why replace an aircraft that you cannot make fast enough?

The Economist

They make fast work of the cookies and chocolate.

The New Yorker

Both possess charming smiles, the kind that make fast friends.

The New York Times - Sports

With Brainard it's almost impossible to make fast distinctions between poetry and art.

The New York Times - Arts

They want to make fast bucks and are ready to earn it even illegally.

The New York Times

"If I just wanted to make fast money, I would've sold the patent," he said.

The New York Times

A neighborhood teenager named Theodore told him he knew how to make fast money.

The New York Times

LIKE pasta, pizza is one of the easiest meals to make fast and vary endlessly.

The New York Times - Food

To opponents, the plan is a sop to real estate developers who see an opportunity to make fast money.

The New York Times

Fancy new electronic injection can make fast cars more powerful still and also be used to improve fuel economy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make fast" in nautical contexts, ensure it aligns with the traditional meaning of securing ropes or lines. In contemporary contexts, consider whether a more common synonym like "speed up" or "accelerate" might be clearer for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "make fast" in non-nautical contexts if your audience is unlikely to understand its original meaning. Overusing nautical jargon can confuse readers unfamiliar with maritime terminology. Consider a more general phrase like "secure quickly" or "fasten rapidly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make fast" functions as a verb phrase. As Ludwig AI suggests, it can denote both securing something (especially in nautical contexts) and accelerating a process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Make fast" is a versatile phrase with two primary meanings: to secure or fasten something, particularly in nautical contexts, and to accelerate or speed up a process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, found across various sources including news, science, and wikis. While its nautical usage is more specialized, it is vital to consider your audience and the context to ensure clarity. In many cases, more common synonyms like "speed up" or "accelerate" may be more appropriate. Overall, understanding the nuances of "make fast" ensures effective communication in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speed up

A more direct and common way to say make something faster.

make rapid

Focuses on the speed or quickness of the action.

make swift

Indicates making a quick or prompt action.

expedite

Emphasizes making something happen more quickly and efficiently.

make efficient

This alternative emphasizes productivity and effectiveness.

accelerate

Focuses on increasing the speed of a process or action.

hasten

Highlights the act of speeding up an event or process.

quicken

Suggests making something faster or more lively.

fasten rapidly

Highlights the speed of the fastening process.

secure quickly

Emphasizes speed and safety in securing an item.

FAQs

How is "make fast" used in a sentence?

"Make fast" can be used to describe securing something, especially in nautical contexts, or to indicate speeding up a process. For example, "Make fast the mooring lines" or "We need to make fast progress on this project".

What does "make fast" mean?

The phrase "make fast" has two primary meanings. In nautical terms, it means to secure a rope or line. More broadly, it can mean to speed up or accelerate a process.

What can I say instead of "make fast"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "speed up", "accelerate", "secure quickly", or "fasten rapidly".

Is "make fast" formal or informal?

"Make fast" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though its nautical usage might be more specialized. In general writing, alternatives like "expedite" or "hasten" could be considered more formal for general use, while "speed up" is generally informal.