on pace

USAGE SUMMARY

"on pace" is a correct and usable idiom in written English.
It is used to mean "at a rate or speed expected or required to meet a particular goal or deadline". Example: The construction project is on pace to be completed by the end of the month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, the three sections remained on pace with one another throughout the semester.

CBE Life Sciences Education

SANNEH -- It's on pace to outsell her last one.

The New York Times - Arts

Am I on pace?

The New York Times

They're on pace for a million.

The New York Times

South Africa traditionally has relied on pace.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am on pace to accomplish that".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm on pace to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

We differ only on pace and scale.

The New York Times

Manziel was on pace for more than 800 passing yards.

The New York Times - Sports

V8 with 433bhp, hot on pace and aural drama.

Independent

Still, Roethlisberger is on pace to attempt 648 passes.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on pace" when you want to indicate that something is progressing as expected and likely to achieve a specific goal or target. It is useful for setting expectations and reporting progress.

Common error

Avoid using "on pace" to describe events that have already concluded. The phrase is meant to project future outcomes based on current progress, not to reflect on past achievements. For completed tasks, phrases like "as expected" or "according to plan" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on pace" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the rate of progress towards a specific goal. As indicated by Ludwig, it signifies that something is progressing as expected. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate it commonly describes project completion or target achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on pace" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is progressing as expected towards a particular goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and understood in various contexts, primarily in news and media, and science. When writing, remember that while it's versatile, it's best used for projecting future outcomes based on current progress, rather than describing completed actions. Alternatives such as "on track" or "in line with expectations" may be suitable substitutes depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on track

This phrase is very similar, implying that progress is being made according to a plan or schedule.

keeping up

This emphasizes the act of maintaining the necessary speed or progress to avoid falling behind.

in line with expectations

This highlights that the current progress is meeting the anticipated or desired outcomes.

proceeding as planned

This indicates that the process is unfolding according to the initial arrangements or schedule.

meeting targets

This is more specific, suggesting that particular goals or benchmarks are being achieved.

at the expected rate

This emphasizes the speed or tempo of the progress, aligning with what was anticipated.

progressing steadily

This highlights consistent and stable advancement toward a goal.

advancing as scheduled

This emphasizes the timing aspect, indicating adherence to a predefined timetable.

moving forward successfully

This focuses on the positive outcome and continued advancement.

maintaining momentum

This highlights the importance of preserving the existing rate of progress or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "on pace" in a sentence?

The phrase "on pace" is used to indicate that something is progressing as expected towards a particular goal. For instance, "The company is "on pace" to exceed its sales targets this quarter".

What is a good alternative to "on pace"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "on track", "keeping up", or "in line with expectations" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "on pace for" or "on pace to"?

Both "on pace for" and "on pace to" are acceptable depending on the context. "On pace for" is typically used when referring to a specific quantity or outcome (e.g., "on pace for a record year"), while "on pace to" is used when referring to an action or event (e.g., "on pace to finish the project on time").

What's the difference between ""on pace"" and "ahead of schedule"?

"On pace" suggests that progress is meeting expectations, while "ahead of schedule" indicates that progress is faster than expected.