sped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sped" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as the past tense of the verb "speed," meaning to move quickly or to accelerate. Example: "He sped down the highway, eager to reach his destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For the next two weeks, Kamal worked well into the evening in his fortified office in the southern suburb of Arasat, before being sped by armoured convoy across the July 14 Bridge – which had been a target only days earlier – to his home inside the Green Zone.

The Guardian

Once in, I sat on the grass, hoping, hoping, hoping to get a touch of the ball, as it sped over the so, so smooth field, my feet occasionally, rakishly, rebelliously, resting over the rope to show just how cool I was.

The Guardian - Sport

But as the truck full of frightened schoolgirls sped deeper into Boko Haram territory, two sisters clasped hands and jumped off together into the night.

The Guardian

Cook passed the record of Gooch with an uncharacteristic stroke, a square drive off the front foot against Southee, which sped to the boundary.

The Guardian - Sport

We sped out to tiny, uninhabited Green Island – "the office", joked our instructor, Irene – on a stomach-churningly bumpy motorised dinghy.

The Guardian - Travel

In 2001, a new type of software – BitTorrent – was launched that simplified and sped up the online filesharing process.

The Guardian - Books

One in 10 drivers didn't stop when the signal 'had clearly been red for more than three seconds' (the number who jumped a red during the first two seconds is unrecorded), while a further two out of those 10 sped through amber.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's under Isis control," said Mujtaba, another young Shia militiaman, as he sped towards the frontline.

The Guardian

He sped past Porsches, Maseratis and "mother-of-pearl Rolls-Royces", he and his wife flattened against the back seat.

The Guardian - Film

During the following three minutes the crumhorn sped up, slowed, sped up again, slowed, and finally broke down altogether.

The Guardian

The Academies Act sped up the conversion of schools' status, and Gove rushed it through to royal assent by July 2010.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sped", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject's rapid movement or the quickened pace of an event.

Common error

Avoid using "sped" when the present or future tense is required. Use "speed" for present tense and "will speed" for future tense.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sped" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'speed'. This indicates an action of moving quickly or causing something to move quickly in the past. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sped" is the past tense of the verb "speed", indicating rapid movement or acceleration in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "speeded" exists as an alternative, "sped" is the preferred and more common form. Related phrases include "accelerated", "raced", and "darted", offering alternative ways to express swift movement. The key is to ensure the context clearly indicates past action and to avoid using "sped" when present or future tenses are required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Accelerated

Implies an increase in speed, similar to "sped", but focuses on the process of gaining speed.

Raced

Conveys a sense of competition or urgency, suggesting a fast pace similar to "sped".

Darted

Suggests a sudden, quick movement in a specific direction, similar to "sped" but emphasizing directionality.

Zoomed

Implies moving very fast, often with a sound association, similar to "sped" but more informal.

Hurtled

Conveys a sense of uncontrolled or reckless speed, adding a slightly different nuance compared to "sped".

Shot

Implies a very rapid and direct movement, similar to "sped" but often used for projectiles.

Bolted

Suggests a sudden and quick escape or movement, adding a connotation of fleeing.

Flitted

Implies a light, quick, and erratic movement, different from the more straightforward speed conveyed by "sped".

Advanced rapidly

A more formal way of expressing quick movement or progress, offering a less direct alternative to "sped".

Moved swiftly

A general phrase indicating fast movement without the intensity sometimes implied by "sped".

FAQs

How is "sped" used in a sentence?

"Sped" is the past tense form of "speed", used to describe something that moved quickly in the past. For example, "The car "sped" down the highway".

What are some alternatives to using "sped"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "raced", "accelerated", or "darted".

Is it correct to say "speeded" instead of "sped"?

While both "sped" and "speeded" are past tense forms of "speed", "sped" is the more commonly used and generally preferred form in modern English. "Speeded" is considered more archaic.

When should I use "sped up" versus just "sped"?

"Sped" implies rapid movement, while "sped up" suggests an increase in speed. Use "sped up" when you want to emphasize that something's pace increased, not just that it moved fast.