near fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "near fast" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe something that is almost fast, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "The car was near fast enough to win the race, but it fell short in the final lap."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Unfortunately, that is nowhere near fast enough.

The Economist

"Others, frankly, are not moving anywhere near fast enough.

The Guardian

The movie's unrelenting visual drabness only adds to the unfortunate sense that while the end will come soon for them, it isn't coming anywhere near fast enough.

The New York Times

He rests the frame on Archy, who asks himself: "How fast are you going to run?" The answer is nowhere near fast enough.

The Guardian - Film

A small spark could be induced across the electrodes to ignite the hydrogen bubbles and spit out a drop of ink, but the process was nowhere near fast enough.

The Economist

Overall British primary energy production maxed out in 1999 at 263m tonnes of oil equivalent and next year production will fall to less than half that level.Energy consumption is now also falling, but nowhere near fast enough.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He went on to explain that the ingredients came directly from regional producers, allowing him to sell slow food at near fast-food prices.

The New York Times - Travel

The disease is caused by parasites injected by black flies that live near fast-flowing water.

Huffington Post

It lives in riverine forests, flooded forests near lakes, and near fast-flowing rivers and streams.

Wikipedia

These insects live near fast-flowing water, precisely where volunteers like Bosumbuka must go to distribute the drugs.

Huffington Post

In October, a study published the Healthy High Density Cities Lab at the University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Oxford University, showed that people living near fast-food outlets have higher rates of Type 2 diabetes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing motion or progress, consider whether a more specific verb can replace "near" to add precision. For example, instead of "near fast", use "approaching rapidly" or "gaining speed."

Common error

Avoid using "near fast" when "almost fast" or "nearly fast" would be clearer and more idiomatic. While understandable, "near fast" can sometimes sound awkward or less natural in common usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near fast" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its speed as being close to "fast". Ludwig AI indicates acceptability, but notes it's not always the most precise choice. Examples include describing something as "near fast" enough for a particular purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "near fast" describes something approaching a state of being fast, but not quite achieving it. While grammatically acceptable, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's often less idiomatic than alternatives like "almost fast" or "nearly fast". Analysis reveals that "near fast" appears frequently in news and media contexts. It serves to indicate an approximation of speed. When writing, consider more precise alternatives for better clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost fast

Emphasizes that something is just short of being fast.

nearly fast

Similar to 'almost fast', indicating a slight lack of speed.

close to fast

Highlights the closeness in terms of speed, focusing on proximity.

approaching fast

Suggests that speed is increasing and nearing a state of fastness.

verging on fast

Indicates that something is on the edge of becoming fast.

practically fast

Conveys that something is so close to fast that it's almost indistinguishable.

virtually fast

Similar to 'practically fast', emphasizing a perceived state of fastness.

in the vicinity of fast

More formal way of expressing proximity to a state of fastness.

in proximity to fast

A more descriptive and formal way to describe the nearness of speed.

not far from fast

Emphasizes the minimal distance from being fast.

FAQs

How can I use "near fast" in a sentence?

You can use "near fast" to describe something that is close to being fast, but not quite there. For example: "The car was "near fast" enough to win, but it needed a bit more power".

What's a more common way to say "near fast"?

Alternatives to "near fast" include "almost fast", "nearly fast", or "close to fast". These phrases are generally more idiomatic and widely understood.

Is "near fast" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "near fast" is less common than other similar phrases. It is understandable, but may sound slightly awkward to some native English speakers.

What's the difference between "near fast" and "almost fast"?

"Near fast" emphasizes proximity, while "almost fast" emphasizes the slight deficiency in speed. Both are similar, but "almost fast" is generally preferred for its clearer meaning.