pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pace" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a speed of movement or progress. For example, "We had to increase our pace if we wanted to reach our destination on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, the Committee intends to purchase a further $600 billion of longer-term Treasury securities by the end of the second quarter of 2011, a pace of about $75 billion per month.

The New York Times

Sales of ovens and stoves are on pace to be at their lowest level since 1992.

The New York Times

Related: Sir Bradley Wiggins smashes Alex Dowsett's hour record – in pictures The Hour is better known for pressure of a different kind: the relentless need for the rider to maintain an even pace, while on the edge of cracking.

The Guardian - Sport

Amid a steadily improving economy that has seen the highest pace of job creation in years, Republican attacks on Obama's handling of the country's finances were rarer than during the 2012 election campaign, when the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, styled himself as the candidate to turn around America's economic fate.

The Guardian

Related: Graphene – six ways wonder material could improve world sustainability Perhaps most significantly, public policy around packaging has advanced at a snail's pace.

The Guardian

"I made two dumb mistakes, but other than that the only thing I struggled with was the pace of the greens.

The Guardian - Sport

Updated at 9.12am AEST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.02am AEST00:02 Good morning people, With the senate in its last week before the changeover, Australian politics is setting a cracking pace this Monday morning.

The Guardian

France have tailored their training regime accordingly ever since their place in the last 16 was secured, with Deschamps describing a 1pm start as "unusual" and expecting the heat to have an impact on the pace of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, the cast Ryan and Cole have assembled have a watchable, scratchy chemistry and the final 15 minutes see the pace ratcheted up several notches.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We know many finance directors are calling for the pace of service transformation to be quickened to help with delivering high quality, safe care in an efficient and appropriate manner.

The Guardian

The Paris-based thinktank notes the budget deficit has been "significantly reduced since the peak of 2009, but at a slower pace recently notably as growth has been insufficiently tax-rich".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pace" to describe progress over time, especially when referring to economic growth, job creation, or other trends.

Common error

Avoid using "pace" when you mean "pass". "Pace" refers to speed or rate, while "pass" means to move beyond or overtake something. For instance, say "the runner increased their pace" instead of incorrectly saying "the runner tried to pass their pace".

Linguistic Context

The word "pace" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the speed or rate at which something moves or progresses. Ludwig shows this use in examples like "the relentless "pace" with which they attack" and "the relatively relaxed "pace" of a Sunday newspaper".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Sport

23%

Business

16%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Arts

4%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pace" is a versatile noun that describes the speed or rate of progress or movement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, including news, sports, and business. It's most common purpose is to describe or assess the rate of change. Common errors include confusing it with "pass". When writing, consider the subtle differences between "pace", "speed", and other related terms to choose the most appropriate word. You can improve the writing quality by using it correctly to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speed

Refers to the rate at which something moves or operates; more direct and less nuanced than "pace".

tempo

Indicates the rate or speed of motion or activity, often used in musical contexts but applicable elsewhere.

rate

A general term for the measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against some other quantity or measure.

rhythm

Suggests a pattern or flow, which can be related to the speed or timing of events.

cadence

Refers to a rhythmic flow or sequence of sounds or words, implying a regular "pace".

velocity

Describes the rate of change of an object's position with respect to time; it's a scientific term for speed.

momentum

Indicates the strength or force that allows something to continue or grow stronger.

beat

A rhythmic unit or a stress in poetry or music that helps determine its "pace".

progress

Emphasizes the advancement or development of something, which can be related to its "pace".

clip

Informal term referring to the rate or speed at which something is done.

FAQs

How can I use "pace" in a sentence?

You can use "pace" to describe the speed of movement or progress, as in "The project is proceeding at a steady pace" or "The runner increased their pace to win the race".

What's the difference between "pace" and "speed"?

"Pace" often implies a sense of rhythm or consistency in movement or progress, while "speed" is a more direct and general term for how fast something is moving or happening.

Which is correct, "at a fast pace" or "at a quick pace"?

Both "at a fast pace" and "at a quick pace" are correct, though "fast" is slightly more common. You could also use alternatives like "at a rapid "tempo"" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "keeping pace with"?

You can use alternatives like "staying "abreast of"", "keeping up with", or "maintaining the "rhythm" with" depending on the specific context.