rapid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rapid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happens quickly or at a fast pace. Example: "The rapid growth of technology has transformed the way we communicate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Piano's entry into the UK media market continues its rapid international expansion since it began offering metered products in 2013.

The Guardian

The authorities have pledged rapid justice for Ram, the 15-year-old burned to death last week.

The Guardian

Many of our young people, adept in collating, processing and sharing information, seek rapid answers to the problems that gather around them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hefce is concerned that the sector is undergoing rapid change with the risk of new private providers.

The Guardian

"Because the NHS has not trained or employed enough radiologists to keep up with demand, there has been rapid growth of outsourcing companies who mostly employ NHS consultant radiologists in their 'spare time' to report the backlogs of images which are building up waiting for reports".

The Guardian

Scottish National Party (p10): "we will seek additional investment to support a more rapid rollout of superfast broadband and 4G across Scotland and to support wider and affordable access to the internet in our most disadvantaged communities, and for a universal service obligation to be applied to telecoms and broadband providers ensuring everyone is able to access the communications they need".

The Guardian - Tech

What they need, therefore, is rapid panic spreading through the ranks of the government's junior partner and thus the coalition's collapse.

The Guardian

Now comes a serious embarrassment: the intellectual support Osborne claimed for such rapid cuts has just been kicked away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Car ownership is also a symbol of success in Beijing, China, and has resulted in a rapid increase in congestion, air pollution and traffic-related deaths.

The Guardian

Three goals in the final 15 minutes of the first half from Bosko Jankovic, Rômulo and Luca Toni put the visitors firmly in control but Livorno made a fight of it as Paulo Betanin and Leandro Greco scored two in rapid succession with less than 20 minutes to go.

The Guardian - Sport

In similar work in Rwanda, the Bank attributed 45% of Rwanda's rapid poverty reduction in a relatively short period of time to growth of the agriculture sector and associated industries and services.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes or changes, use "rapid" to emphasize the speed and intensity of the transformation. For example, "the rapid development of technology" effectively conveys the fast pace of technological advancements.

Common error

While "rapid" is widely applicable, be mindful of its potential overuse, especially in formal writing. Consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "swift" or "expedited" to maintain a professional tone and prevent repetitiveness.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "rapid" primarily functions to modify nouns, emphasizing speed, swiftness, or acceleration. Ludwig shows numerous examples like "rapid growth", "rapid change", and "rapid expansion", indicating its role in describing quick developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rapid" is a grammatically correct and widely used adjective to describe something that happens swiftly. According to Ludwig, its most common function is to emphasize the speed or quickness of a process or change. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While acceptable across various registers, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "swift" or "expedited" to maintain clarity and style. Ludwig AI confirms the word is perfectly usable in written english.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swift

Emphasizes speed and smoothness of movement or action.

quick

Highlights the short amount of time taken.

speedy

Suggests efficiency and promptness.

accelerated

Focuses on the increase in speed or rate.

expedited

Implies a process has been made faster than usual.

prompt

Indicates immediacy and being on time.

fleet

Describes quickness and nimbleness, often in a figurative sense.

hasty

Conveys a sense of urgency and potential lack of thoroughness.

brisk

Suggests energy and liveliness in addition to speed.

nimble

Highlights agility and swiftness in movement or thought.

FAQs

How can I use "rapid" in a sentence?

You can use "rapid" to describe something that happens quickly. For example, "There was a "rapid increase" in sales after the new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "rapid"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "rapid" include "swift", "quick", or "speedy". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

What's the difference between "rapid" and "fast"?

"Rapid" often implies a higher degree of speed and intensity compared to "fast". While both describe speed, "rapid" is generally used for significant or accelerated changes.

Is it correct to say "rapidly" instead of "rapid"?

Yes, "rapidly" is the adverb form of "rapid" and is used to modify verbs, while "rapid" is an adjective used to modify nouns. For example, "The economy is growing rapidly" is correct, while "rapid growth" uses "rapid" as an adjective.