sped off

USAGE SUMMARY

"sped off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used in the same way as the phrase "took off" and usually means that something departed quickly or hastily. Example: When the family heard the thunder, they quickly grabbed their things and sped off.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Panicked, he sped off.

Independent

The driver sped off.

The New York Times

He sped off.

The New York Times - Sports

They sped off, sirens blaring.

The New Yorker

She sped off.

The Washington Post

I sped off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The car sped off.

The New York Times

The shooter sped off in his car.

The New Yorker

Hamilton sped off in the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

But they said the car sped off.

The Washington Post

When officers arrived, the woman sped off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sped off" to vividly describe a rapid departure, especially when emphasizing speed or urgency. For instance, "The thief sped off in a stolen car" conveys a more immediate and dynamic image than "The thief left in a stolen car".

Common error

Avoid using "sped off" in formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "departed" or "left" might be more suitable. Using "sped off" in a formal report can sound informal or unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sped off" is as a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate in a sentence to describe the action of quickly leaving. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it indicates a hasty or rapid departure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sped off" is a phrasal verb used to describe a quick departure, emphasizing speed and often implying urgency or escape. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. While appropriate for general narratives, consider more formal alternatives like "departed" in academic or professional settings. Remember that while this expression is valid, make sure that the context requires the specification of speed in the departure, if not a simpler term like "left" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took off

A common and versatile alternative, indicating a departure.

raced away

Indicates a very fast departure, often in a competitive context.

shot off

Emphasizes the speed and suddenness of the departure.

darted away

Suggests a sudden and quick movement, often to avoid something.

zoomed away

Focuses on the high speed of the departure.

dashed off

Indicates a quick and energetic departure.

hurried off

Implies a quick departure due to urgency or a need to be somewhere else.

bolted

Suggests a sudden and panicked departure.

fled

Implies a departure due to fear or danger.

made off

Can imply a secretive or illicit departure, often after committing a crime.

FAQs

How can I use "sped off" in a sentence?

"Sped off" is used to describe a quick departure. For example, "The driver "sped off" after dropping off the package."

What are some alternatives to using "sped off"?

Alternatives include "raced away", "took off", or "darted away" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sped off" too informal for academic writing?

Yes, "sped off" is generally considered informal. In academic or professional writing, consider using more neutral alternatives like "departed" or "left".

What's the difference between "sped off" and "drove away"?

"Sped off" implies a rapid or hasty departure, emphasizing speed. "Drove away" is more neutral and simply indicates that someone left in a vehicle. For example, you might say "He "sped off" to avoid being seen", but "He "drove away" after saying goodbye".