she sped up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she sped up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone increasing their speed, whether in a physical context like running or driving, or metaphorically, such as accelerating progress on a task. Example: "As the deadline approached, she sped up her work to ensure everything was completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

At first she sped up.

The New Yorker

By linking herself to Jolie, she sped up every process.

The New York Times - Magazine

She continued moving dangerously from one lane to another as she sped up the highway.

The New York Times

She sped up, because she wanted to walk alongside the boy.

The New Yorker

"Every time she sped up, the pickup would speed up," another motorist later testified.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She speeds up, slows down, drops into patois; stacks rhymes on rhymes, doubles up meanings, bounces between pop culture references.

The Guardian - Music

That is, until she speeds up the heeling process with an urgent trip to Bill's bed.

The Guardian

It was only after Labour fell apart in 1981 that she speeded up her reforms, and again after her landslide victory in 1983.

Independent

Within a few minutes Dr. Jill is demonstrating how the teenage brain gets flooded with hormones and she speeds up the pace of her delivery to 220 words per minute.

Forbes

Stephanie doesn't actually have to slow down and move the family to the Redwoods now, because she has sped up, literally: she can run miles in seconds.

The New York Times - Arts

In a major break with Canadian rules, she drastically sped up dances.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she sped up" to describe a person increasing their pace, whether literally in movement or figuratively in progress toward a goal. Be mindful of the context to ensure it fits the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "she sped up" when referring to inanimate objects or processes accelerating without direct influence from a person. Instead, use phrases like "the process accelerated" or "the reaction sped up."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she sped up" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action performed by a female subject. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It describes the act of increasing speed, literally or figuratively.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she sped up" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable verb phrase indicating that a female subject increased her speed or pace. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing both literal movement and figurative progress. While not exceedingly common, its usage is clear and direct. It is commonly found in News & Media. For alternative expressions, consider "she accelerated" or "she quickened her pace" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she accelerated

This alternative provides a more formal and direct synonym, emphasizing the increase in speed.

she quickened her pace

This alternative focuses on the act of increasing pace, typically related to walking or running.

she increased her speed

This is a more literal and straightforward way of expressing the same concept.

she picked up speed

This suggests a gradual increase in velocity over a period of time.

she moved faster

This is a simpler and more general way of indicating an increase in speed.

she hastened

This suggests a more urgent or hurried increase in speed.

she gained momentum

This alternative implies the buildup of force and forward motion.

she surged forward

This suggests a sudden and powerful burst of speed.

she pressed on

This alternative is more figurative, implying determination and effort to increase progress.

she stepped on the gas

This is an idiomatic expression specifically referring to increasing the speed of a vehicle.

FAQs

What does "she sped up" mean?

"She sped up" means that a female person increased her speed, either literally while moving, or metaphorically, such as accelerating progress on a task.

What are some synonyms for "she sped up"?

You can use alternatives like "she accelerated", "she quickened her pace", or "she increased her speed" depending on the context.

How can I use "she sped up" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "As the deadline approached, she sped up her work to ensure everything was completed on time."

Is it correct to say "she speeded up"?

While "speeded" is a valid past tense form of "speed", "she sped up" is more commonly used and generally preferred in modern English.