pick up faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick up faster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the speed at which someone learns or adapts to something. Example: "If you want to succeed in this course, you need to pick up faster on the new concepts being taught."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"If the risks that I'm focusing on to our last forecasts come through, I think there is a chance that inflation will pick up faster than people had been expecting in the medium term, which then would most likely merit an increase in interest rates sooner than people are currently expecting," Forbes told the Wall Street Journal.

The Guardian - Business

So far, Fujitsu has invested tens of millions of dollars in WiMax technology, and Hintze believes that WiMax will likely pick up faster in Europe and Asia than in the U.S. Still, the company wants to benefit from the growth in North America and has already deployed one small WiMax network in Rhode Island, used by local businesses, with the wireless CLEC TowerStream.

Forbes

Basset hounds usually don't learn much from negative training, but if you praise yours for doing right (especially with treats), they should pick up faster on what they need to be doing.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Fed has said it wants to keep rates low until 2015, though it could let them rise sooner if the economy picks up faster than expected.

The New York Times

There are teachers in the state, Campbell told me from the capitol, who "pick up fast-food shifts on the weekends".

The New Yorker

But rising rates could keep the bond business in a lurch, and if equity underwriting and M&A don't pick up fast, Goldman and its counterparts could face a first-quarter shortfall.

Forbes

So many people find it easy to just go pick up fast food not only going to restaurants.

Vice

Eat amongst the Russian elite or pick up fast food before continuing your shopping trip.

WikiHow

Plan meals ahead; it will make you less likely to pick up fast food and it means you can tailor your shopping list to fit.

WikiHow

Traders tell tales of losing money to him because of split-second price differences he picked up faster than they did.

The New York Times

But his fellow policymaker Martin Weale believes the labour market is "fizzing away nicely" and wages have picked up faster than expected.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pick up faster", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being learned or improved upon. For instance, "He will "pick up faster" if he practices daily."

Common error

Avoid using "pick up faster" without specifying the subject or skill being acquired. For example, instead of saying "She will "pick up faster"," specify "She will "pick up faster" on the new software."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pick up faster" is as a verb phrase functioning as a predicate, describing the rate at which something is learned or improved. Ludwig confirms that it is a usable and valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pick up faster" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe accelerated learning or improvement. While Ludwig AI marks it as correct, its frequency is uncommon. It is commonly found in news and media, describing economic trends, technological adoption, or personal skill development. Consider using synonyms like "learn more quickly" or "catch on more quickly" for variety. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies what is being acquired or improved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch on more quickly

Emphasizes the speed of understanding or realizing something.

learn more quickly

Focuses specifically on the speed of learning.

improve at a faster rate

Emphasizes the rate of improvement.

accelerate rapidly

Highlights the speed of acceleration, suitable for describing processes or progress.

develop more rapidly

Focuses on the speed of development or growth.

advance more swiftly

Emphasizes a swift or quick advancement.

progress more quickly

Highlights the speed of making progress.

gain traction more rapidly

Focuses on gaining momentum or influence more quickly.

become proficient faster

Specifically relates to acquiring proficiency or skill more quickly.

master more swiftly

Highlights the speed of mastering a skill or subject.

FAQs

What does "pick up faster" mean?

The phrase "pick up faster" means to learn or acquire something more quickly than usual. It implies an accelerated rate of understanding or proficiency.

How can I use "pick up faster" in a sentence?

You can use "pick up faster" to describe someone's learning progress, such as: "Children often "pick up languages faster" than adults."

What are some alternatives to "pick up faster"?

Alternatives include "learn more quickly", "grasp more rapidly", or "understand more swiftly".

Is it grammatically correct to say "pick up faster"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The verb "pick up" combines with the adverb "faster" to indicate an increased rate of acquisition or learning.