rate to which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rate to which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the extent or degree of something in relation to a specific rate or measurement. Example: "The rate to which the population is growing is concerning for urban planners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The murder rate, to which the suicide rate tends to be related, has fallen.

The Economist

Suppose a borrower can afford an 8% monthly interest rate but not the 10% rate to which his ARM will soon adjust.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, for computing to continue to improve at the rate to which everyone has become accustomed, something more radical will be needed.

The Guardian - Tech

The governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, has said he will look at raising the Bank of England base rate, to which lenders hook their mortgages, when unemployment has fallen to 7%.

The Guardian - Money

Last summer Fannie Mae, the government buyer of home loans, said lenders must qualify borrowers on either the initial rate plus two percentage points, or on the full index rate to which the initial rate is tied, whichever is greater.

The New York Times

The front-runner is a rise in VAT, from 17.5% (the rate to which it will return at the start of next year after the temporary cut) to 20%.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

That figure is higher than the average for countries which enjoy the investment-grade credit rating to which Brazil aspires.

The Economist

Age-structured models require multiple infection rates, to which Anderson and May [18] referred collectively as "who-acquires-infection-from-whom".

Plosone

// freq - approximate rate at which to generate random values.

Stanford University

We then asked people to rate the extent to which each goal motivated them.

HuffPost

Faculty rated the extent to which they experienced 23 potential stressors associated with clinical teaching.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rate to which", ensure the context clearly establishes a rate or measurable quantity that the subsequent clause refers back to. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "rate to which" when you're not actually referencing a specific, quantifiable rate. If no rate is involved, consider alternatives like "degree to which" or "extent to which".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rate to which" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause specifying the degree or extent something is related to a particular rate. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rate to which" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the degree or extent something is related to a specific rate. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its presence across news, scientific, and academic contexts. While "rate at which" is a close alternative, "rate to which" emphasizes proportion or degree, not just speed. It is vital to use this phrase where a measurable rate is clearly established and relevant. While not exceedingly frequent, it's a precise tool when appropriately applied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rate at which

Replaces the preposition "to" with "at", focusing on the speed of change.

degree to which

Shifts focus from rate to the extent or level something happens.

extent to which

Similar to 'degree to which', emphasizing the scope or range.

level to which

Highlights a specific measured point or stage.

amount to which

Focuses on the quantity or measure affected.

proportion to which

Highlights the relative amount or ratio.

scale to which

Emphasizes the magnitude or size of the relationship.

frequency with which

Changes the focus to how often something occurs, using a different preposition.

speed at which

Specifically highlights the quickness of the change or effect.

manner in which

Describes the way or method something is done, rather than a direct quantifiable measurement.

FAQs

How can I use "rate to which" in a sentence?

Use "rate to which" to describe the extent or degree something is related to a particular rate. For example: "The rate to which interest accrues affects the total loan repayment."

What phrases are similar to "rate to which"?

Alternatives include "rate at which", "degree to which", or "extent to which", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "rate to which"?

While grammatically correct, "rate to which" can sound awkward if a more direct phrasing is available. Ensure the "rate" being referenced is clearly defined and relevant to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "rate to which" and "rate at which"?

"Rate at which" emphasizes the speed of something happening, while "rate to which" focuses on the degree or proportion something is connected to the rate. The phrases are often interchangeable but may have subtle differences in meaning.