really fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really fast" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that occurs at a high speed or rate. Example: "The car zoomed by really fast, leaving everyone in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Really fast.

The Guardian - Tech

Really fast," he says.

The Guardian

Everything happened really fast.

The New York Times

You go really fast".

The New York Times

It goes really fast".

The New York Times - Tech

Rap is really fast.

The Guardian - Music

Now I'm really fast".

The Guardian - Film

"It happened really fast.

The New Yorker

Kids forget things really fast.

The New York Times

"We're really fast," she said.

The New York Times

"He's never been really fast.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing motion or processes, use "really fast" to convey a sense of urgency or heightened speed. This phrase is appropriate for informal communication and journalistic writing.

Common error

While "really fast" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid it in formal academic or business writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary is preferred. Consider using alternatives like "rapidly" or "expeditiously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really fast" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "fast". It modifies verbs or clauses to describe the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing speed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really fast" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adverbial phrase that intensifies the speed of an action or event. While acceptable in news, media, and general writing, it may be less appropriate for formal or academic contexts, where synonyms such as "rapidly" or "swiftly" might be preferred. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the presence of numerous real-world examples from authoritative sources highlights its widespread usage. Remember to consider your audience and the formality of your writing when choosing whether to use "really fast".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely quick

Replaces "fast" with its synonym "quick" and "really" with "extremely", intensifying the speed.

incredibly rapid

Substitutes "fast" with "rapid" and "really" with "incredibly", offering a more formal tone.

lightning-fast

Uses a compound adjective to vividly describe the speed, implying the speed of lightning.

blindingly quick

Emphasizes the speed to the point of being overwhelming, using "blindingly" as an intensifier.

at breakneck speed

Emphasizes the danger associated with the speed. Suggests high risk due to velocity.

with great haste

Indicates quickness of action, focusing on the promptness or urgency of the movement or action.

at warp speed

Implies very high, almost fantastical, speed, often used metaphorically.

swiftly and rapidly

Uses two adverbs to emphasize both the smoothness and speed of an action.

with considerable velocity

Replaces "fast" with "velocity" for a more technical or scientific context.

momentarily

Implies that something happened almost instantly or in a very short amount of time.

FAQs

What does "really fast" mean?

The phrase "really fast" means something happens with great speed or quickness. It's used to emphasize how quickly something occurs.

What can I say instead of "really fast"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely quick", "incredibly rapid", or "lightning-fast" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "really fast" in academic writing?

While understandable, "really fast" is generally too informal for academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "rapidly" or "swiftly".

How can I make my writing more descriptive than just saying "really fast"?

Instead of saying "really fast", try to be more specific about the type of speed. For example, use "at breakneck speed" if you want to convey danger, or "warp speed" to indicate something is extremely fast.