surprising pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprising pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a speed or rate of change that is unexpected or astonishing. Example: "The project progressed at a surprising pace, exceeding all our initial expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The game acquires surprising pace, given that nobody covers much ground.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, some changes have come at a surprising pace, including harsher penalties for government corruption and rollbacks of transit fares.

The New York Times

Running hard, the boar thuds heavily across a sun-parched open field at a surprising pace for its bulk.

The New York Times - Food

Last summer, though, Australians themselves were commenting on the weight of ball he delivered and the surprising pace he generated.

The Guardian - Sport

The Dutchman showed surprising pace to run up the flank and cross the ball perfectly for Son's early opener, then played in a killer ball to release Ivo Ilicevic after Ivan Perisic had equalised with a mis-hit cross.

The Guardian - Sport

He also warned that interest rates could rise sooner than markets expect, although this was motivated more by the surprising pace of recovery than by fears of financial instability.Ms Yellen's challenge is different.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

That may sound surprising: the pace of reform in the kingdom, it has often been said, is inversely correlated with the price of oil.

The Economist

In May 2008, in a surprising change of pace, she appeared in a production of "Endgame," Samuel Beckett's grim comedy about mortality, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

The New York Times

Cooke converted from the touchline but the Bulls replied with two Paul Deacon goals and a Shontayne Hape try engineered by Harris, then missed the chance to extend their narrow half-time lead when their young forward substitute Jamie Langley showed a surprising turn of pace down the left only for Lesley Vainikolo to spill his pass.

The Guardian - Sport

Hard-grafting flanker with a surprising turn of pace, honed on the international sevens circuit.

BBC

Of all the things the DNA has going for it, I honestly didn't expect its weight to be what jumped out at me first — it weighs in at under 5 ounces, which is a surprising change of pace for HTC.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surprising pace" to add emphasis when describing an unexpected acceleration or advancement.

Common error

Avoid using "surprising pace" when you simply mean 'fast pace'. "Surprising pace" implies an element of unexpectedness, not just speed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising pace" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "surprising" modifies the noun "pace". Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature for describing unexpected speed or rate. As seen in the examples, it often describes progress or momentum.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surprising pace" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that effectively conveys unexpected speed or progress. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it adds emphasis to noteworthy accelerations or advancements. While alternatives like "unexpected rate" or "astonishing speed" exist, "surprising pace" provides a succinct and clear way to express the unexpected nature of the tempo or development. Be mindful to use it when the pace is truly astonishing, not just fast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected rate

Emphasizes the rate being unforeseen.

astonishing speed

Highlights the speed as remarkably surprising.

remarkable velocity

Uses a more formal term for speed, stressing its exceptional nature.

unforeseen momentum

Focuses on the unexpected force or impetus gained.

rapid acceleration

Highlights the quick increase in speed or progress.

swift advancement

Emphasizes a quick and unexpected progress.

sudden surge

Implies an abrupt and surprising increase.

swift tempo

Focuses on speed or progress, specifically.

unanticipated quickness

Highlights the speed being unanticipated.

unexpected swiftness

Emphasizes the speed being unforeseen.

FAQs

How can I use "surprising pace" in a sentence?

You can use "surprising pace" to describe how quickly something is progressing, such as, "The project advanced at a "surprising pace", exceeding our expectations".

What are some alternatives to "surprising pace"?

Alternatives include "unexpected rate", "astonishing speed", or "remarkable velocity", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "surprisingly fast pace"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "surprisingly fast pace" can be redundant. Using "surprising pace" is often more concise and effective in conveying the intended meaning. You can also use "unexpected rate" or "astonishing speed".

How does "surprising pace" differ from "rapid pace"?

"Rapid pace" simply indicates a fast tempo, while "surprising pace" emphasizes that the speed is unexpected or noteworthy. Using "surprising pace" highlights the element of astonishment or disbelief at how quickly something is happening. Use also "swift tempo".