terribly fast

USAGE SUMMARY

"terribly fast" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that occurs at a very high speed, often with a sense of surprise or intensity. Example: "The car zoomed by terribly fast, leaving us in awe." Alternative expressions include "incredibly fast" and "extremely fast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I wrote terribly fast in those days.

The Guardian

You have to be terribly fast to get into it; their tie is gray and light blue.

The New Yorker

And she didn't seem to be moving terribly fast to remedy the fact that her risk-management infrastructure had some serious problems.

The New York Times

The band came to a clattering stop after playing something terribly fast in which the trumpet squealed like a train braking.

The New Yorker

He is a red-headed boy with a sunburned nose and sunglasses, and he moves with a step not graceful, nor terribly fast, but steady and determined, his mouth set in a hard line.

The New York Times

The speed at which Mr. Regen, 49, had been traveling as he coasted down a hill on West Drive inside the park was not terribly fast — 25 miles per hour, according to the ticket.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It is fast, not terribly painful and instantly effective.

Forbes

Minutemen decided that driving fast "wasn't terribly defiant"; Watt later commented that "the big rebellion thing was writing your own fuckin' songs and trying to come up with your own story, your own picture, your own book, whatever.

Wikipedia

Moreover, as Plomin puts it, "why mortgage your house to pay those private school fees?" All in all, Plomin, charming and fast-talking, sounds terribly child-centred and not at all Goveian.

The Guardian

So either he was pulling a fast one or he was a terribly unlucky soul.

The New York Times

Other descriptors used are "fast, clean and beautiful", which is all terribly non-specific so it's a case of wait and see what the partnership delivers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly fast" to add emphasis when describing speed, especially in contexts where the speed is surprising or noteworthy. For instance, "The project progressed terribly fast, exceeding all expectations."

Common error

While "terribly fast" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. More neutral alternatives such as "extremely fast" or "exceptionally quick" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly fast" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier to describe the speed or pace of an action or object. It intensifies the adjective "fast", indicating a high degree of speed. Ludwig AI shows it used to modify verbs and nouns to indicate how quickly something moves or happens.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly fast" is a common and generally acceptable phrase used to emphasize a high degree of speed. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to convey a sense of quickness or intensity. While grammatically correct, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "extremely fast" or "extraordinarily fast" in professional or academic settings. Remember to use "terribly fast" when you want to add emphasis, but avoid overuse to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing. The phrase is deemed appropriate for general use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extraordinarily fast

Emphasizes the exceptional degree of speed; more formal.

tremendously fast

Highlights the significant magnitude of the speed.

horribly fast

Suggests an alarming or undesirable level of speed.

extremely fast

A common and direct way to express a very high speed.

exceedingly fast

Similar to 'extremely fast' but slightly more formal.

awfully fast

An informal way of saying 'very fast'.

frighteningly fast

Emphasizes the speed's capacity to inspire fear or anxiety.

blindingly fast

Suggests speed is so great it is difficult to perceive.

wickedly fast

Implies the speed is impressively and perhaps dangerously high.

lightning fast

Compares the speed to that of lightning, indicating suddenness and quickness.

FAQs

What does "terribly fast" mean?

"Terribly fast" means something is moving or occurring at a very high speed. It's often used to emphasize the quickness or intensity of the action or movement.

How can I use "terribly fast" in a sentence?

You can use "terribly fast" to describe the speed of an object or the pace of an event. For example, "The car was going "terribly fast"" or "The time went by "terribly fast"".

What can I say instead of "terribly fast"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely fast", "incredibly fast", or "extraordinarily fast" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "terribly fast" formal or informal?

"Terribly fast" is generally considered more informal. In formal contexts, alternatives such as "exceptionally fast" or "remarkably fast" might be more appropriate.