speed up

USAGE SUMMARY

"speed up" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you might write, "The train slowed to a stop, and then it began to speed up again." It is also commonly used in informal language, as in "Let's speed up so we can get out of here sooner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We speed up the process".

The New York Times

I speed up past mirrors.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe he'll speed up, too.

The New Yorker

Speed up more?

The New York Times - Style

Significant speed up in convolutions.

Harvard University

Warmer climates will speed up the process.

The New York Times

He needs to speed up, too.

Independent

inorder to speed up the sport.

The New Yorker

Things will speed up before that, though.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Not all parallelization results in speed-up.

Wikipedia

Hence, they facilitate and speed-up movements.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or guides, use "speed up" to clearly indicate how to make a process or activity more efficient. For example, "To speed up the rendering process, reduce the image resolution."

Common error

Avoid using "speed up" in passive constructions where the subject isn't actively speeding something up. For instance, instead of "The process was sped up by the new software", it's clearer to say "The new software sped up the process."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "speed up" primarily functions as a dynamic verb indicating an action of increasing speed or rate. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "speed up" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express the action of increasing pace or efficiency. It is versatile, appearing frequently in news, media and wiki contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis reinforces its acceptability and widespread usage, making it a reliable choice for conveying the idea of acceleration across different types of writing. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "accelerate" or "expedite".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pick up speed

A more literal alternative that involves gaining velocity.

accelerate

A single word replacement indicating an increase in speed or rate, suitable for more formal contexts.

quicken

Similar to accelerate, but can also refer to shortening the time needed for something.

expedite

Focuses on making a process faster or more efficient, particularly in formal or business settings.

ramp up

Suggests a gradual but steady increase in activity or production.

step up the pace

Emphasizes increasing the rhythm or tempo of an activity, often used in collaborative efforts.

boost

Highlights improving or increasing something, like performance or productivity, in a general sense.

advance

Implies forward movement and progress at a faster rate, applicable to projects and initiatives.

enhance

Refers to improving the quality or value of something, potentially leading to faster results.

intensify

Indicates strengthening or deepening an activity, which can lead to a quicker outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "speed up" in a sentence?

You can use "speed up" to describe increasing the rate or pace of something. For example, "We need to "speed up" the production process to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "speed up"?

Alternatives to "speed up" include "accelerate", "expedite", or "step up the pace", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "speed up"?

While "speed up" is generally correct, avoid using it in very formal contexts where a more sophisticated synonym like "accelerate" or "expedite" might be more appropriate. Also, be mindful of passive constructions where active voice would be clearer.

What is the difference between "speed up" and "accelerate"?

"Speed up" is a phrasal verb that is generally more informal, while "accelerate" is a single-word verb that is often used in more formal or technical contexts. Both convey the idea of increasing speed, but the choice depends on the tone you want to achieve.