picked up the pace

USAGE SUMMARY

"picked up the pace" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to increase the speed or intensity at which something is being done. Example: As the runners approached the final stretch, John picked up the pace and crossed the finish line first.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We picked up the pace.

The New York Times

Jack picked up the pace.

The New Yorker

Biktimirova picked up the pace.

The New York Times - Sports

Peter Jackson has picked up the pace.

The Guardian - Film

These companies have picked up the pace.

The New York Times

I picked up the pace or else I'd miss it.

University of California, Berkeley

He pulled me along as he picked up the pace.

The New Yorker

We picked up the pace to no avail.

The Washington Post

"But we have really picked up the pace".

The New York Times

I picked up the pace, determined to finish before midnight.

The New York Times

Bowman was ready, and picked up the pace.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing alternatives. While "increased the speed" is similar, "gained momentum" might be more appropriate when emphasizing the building force behind the action.

Common error

Avoid using "picked up the pace" in contexts where a gradual, natural increase in speed is expected. It's best suited for situations where there's a conscious effort to accelerate.

Linguistic Context

"Picked up the pace" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it's used to indicate an increase in speed or intensity of an action, contributing to the overall meaning and direction of the narrative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picked up the pace" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an increase in speed or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While versatile, consider the context to ensure it appropriately conveys a deliberate acceleration, as opposed to a gradual change. Alternatives such as "increased the speed" or "gained momentum" may be more fitting depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased the speed

A more literal and straightforward way to say the same thing.

stepped up the tempo

Similar in meaning, but uses "stepped up" to suggest a deliberate increase.

accelerated the tempo

Uses "accelerated" to emphasize a faster increase in speed or intensity.

sped things up

More casual and conversational way to express increasing the pace.

quickened the rhythm

Employs "quickened" and "rhythm" to convey a more nuanced increase in pace, often in a musical or rhythmic context.

gained momentum

Focuses on the increasing force or energy, rather than just speed.

moved at a faster rate

More formal and less idiomatic alternative.

intensified the effort

Focuses on increasing the intensity of the effort being made.

hastened the progress

Emphasizes making progress faster.

boosted the activity

Highlights an increase in activity level.

FAQs

What does "picked up the pace" mean?

The phrase "picked up the pace" means to increase the speed or intensity at which something is being done.

How can I use "picked up the pace" in a sentence?

Example: "After a slow start, the team "picked up the pace" and won the game."

What are some alternatives to "picked up the pace"?

Some alternatives include "increased the speed", "gained momentum", or "stepped up the tempo".

Is "picked up the pace" formal or informal?

"Picked up the pace" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.