quite fast

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite fast" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the speed or pace of an action or event, when it is moderately fast but not extremely fast. Example: "The dog ran quite fast towards the ball, eager to catch it before it rolled down the hill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is quite fast.

The Guardian - Music

"It actually came quite fast.

The Guardian - Music

I learned that quite fast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I just wasn't quite fast enough".

The New York Times - Sports

But that could change quite fast.

The Economist

I was quite fast at that time.

The Guardian

But he was not quite fast enough.

The New York Times

Things could get a lot worse quite fast.

The Economist

Bharti's African business is likely to grow quite fast.

The Economist

Egypt's economy has belatedly begun to grow quite fast.

The Economist

It has been rising quite fast for some time.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite fast" to describe a speed that is noticeably above average but not necessarily the absolute fastest. It's a versatile phrase suitable for many contexts.

Common error

In technical or scientific writing, be precise with your language. Instead of "quite fast", quantify the speed using specific units (e.g. km/h, m/s) for greater clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite fast" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, indicating a speed that is moderately high. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite fast" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase to describe a speed that's moderately high, but not the fastest. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It enjoys frequent use in News & Media, Scientific writing, and Wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. When precision is paramount, especially in technical contexts, consider quantifying the speed for enhanced clarity. For alternatives, consider "rather fast", "pretty fast", or "fairly fast" to add subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather fast

Emphasizes speed, similar to "quite fast" but potentially implying a slightly higher degree of speed.

pretty fast

Similar in meaning, but slightly less formal than "quite fast".

very fast

A more direct and common synonym, indicating a high degree of speed.

fairly fast

Indicates a moderate level of speed, comparable to "quite fast".

relatively fast

Implies speed in comparison to something else.

moving rapidly

Focuses on the act of moving quickly, a more descriptive alternative.

briskly

Implies quickness and efficiency of movement.

speedily

Formal synonym of quickly.

with great speed

Emphasizes the high degree of speed.

at a considerable pace

Describes the rate of movement or progress.

FAQs

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

"Quite fast" can be used to describe the speed of an action or event. For example, "The car was going "quite fast" on the highway."

What are some alternatives to "quite fast"?

Alternatives include "pretty fast", "fairly fast", or "relatively fast", depending on the context.

Is "quite fast" formal or informal?

"Quite fast" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What is the difference between "quite fast" and "very fast"?

"Quite fast" implies a speed that is noticeably above average but not necessarily the absolute fastest. "Very fast" suggests a higher degree of speed than "quite fast".