speed it up

USAGE SUMMARY

"speed it up" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to encourage someone to increase the pace of an action or process. Example: "We need to speed it up if we want to meet the deadline." Alternative expressions include "hurry it up" and "pick up the pace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Aging tends to speed it up.

Harvard University

Slow it down or speed it up?

The Guardian - Tech

Student: I'll go here and speed it up.

Yale University

"I think that would speed it up," he said.

The New York Times

Integration, other things equal, will speed it up.

The Economist

But she admits: "We have got to speed it up".

The Guardian - Film

Victims dare not try to speed it up.

The New York Times

But several trends coalesced to speed it up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Speed it up, and you'll see greater moon surface definition.

Huffington Post

'Speed it up.

The Guardian

"He said to speed it up.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase in neutral or informal contexts to encourage efficiency or urgency without appearing overly stiff.

Common error

Avoid saying 'speed up it'. In English phrasal verbs with short pronouns as objects, the pronoun must be placed between the verb and the particle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speed it up" serves as a transitive phrasal verb in the imperative or infinitive mood. According to Ludwig AI, the structure relies on the verb 'speed' combined with the particle 'up', with the mandatory insertion of the object 'it' in the medial position. This is a classic example of a separable phrasal verb where the pronoun cannot follow the particle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speed it up" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used to denote acceleration. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse domains ranging from News & Media to Academia. It is most effective when used to encourage a faster pace in an action or process. While it is grammatically perfect, writers should remember to keep the pronoun 'it' between the verb and the particle. For very formal or technical documents, opting for synonyms like accelerate or "expedite" can enhance the professional quality of the text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accelerate it

More formal and often used in scientific or business contexts regarding processes.

hurry it up

More informal and slightly more impatient in tone.

pick up the pace

Idiomatic alternative that focuses on the rhythm or rate of an activity.

move faster

A simpler literal instruction.

expedite the process

Much more formal, typically used in administrative or professional environments.

hasten it

A more literary or formal verb choice.

fast-track it

Implies giving a project priority to ensure quick completion.

quicken it

A direct synonym though less commonly used in modern conversation.

rush it

Suggests speed at the potential cost of quality.

step on it

Highly informal idiom, often related to driving or urgent physical movement.

FAQs

How to use "speed it up" in a sentence?

You can use "speed it up" to ask for a faster pace, such as: "The project is falling behind schedule, so we need to "speed it up" if we want to finish by Friday."

What can I say instead of "speed it up"?

Depending on the level of formality, you can use alternatives like "accelerate", "pick up the pace", or ""expedite"".

Is "speed it up" formal enough for a business email?

It is acceptable for internal or neutral business communication. However, for a more professional or client-facing tone, using "expedite the process" is often more appropriate.

What is the difference between "speed it up" and "hurry it up"?

While both mean to increase pace, "hurry it up" often carries a connotation of impatience or irritation, whereas "speed it up" is more neutral and focused on the rate of work.