that was fastest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was fastest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the speed of an action or event, indicating that something occurred more quickly than others. Example: "In the race, I was surprised to see that was fastest among all the competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was Stewart, frustrated that races had come down to fuel and tire strategy, who declared after the victory on Saturday night, "It's good to finally see a Winston Cup race end with the winner being the car that was fastest on the racetrack".

The New York Times - Sports

Neither Ferrari nor McLaren were fastest on the first two days at Silverstone, rather it was Toyota that was fastest on both of the days.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Jesus Christ that was fast," Marlon said.

The New Yorker

Wow, that was fast.

TechCrunch

Update: Well that was fast.

TechCrunch

Well, damn, that was fast.

TechCrunch

Fuck that was fast.

Vice

Whew -- that was fast!

Huffington Post

#WhereAreThePesos that was fast 😂 pic.twitter.com/qMFlanklQn.

Huffington Post

"We're food that's fast".

The New York Times

A: It's a judgment that is fast.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that was fastest", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. For instance, specify "that was the fastest lap" or "that was the fastest solution".

Common error

Avoid using "that was fastest" without a clear comparative context. Saying simply "that was fastest" can leave the listener wondering what exactly was the fastest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was fastest" functions as a subject complement, specifically a predicative adjective. It ascribes a quality (being the fastest) to a subject (something previously mentioned or implied). The context provides the reference point against which 'fastest' is being compared.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was fastest" is grammatically correct but relatively uncommon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable but benefits from a clear comparative context. It serves to highlight the superior speed of something, predominantly in neutral registers like news or general discussions. For enhanced clarity, consider alternatives like "that was the quickest" or "that was the speediest". The key takeaway is to ensure that the scope of the comparison is explicitly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was the quickest

Replaces "fastest" with its direct synonym, emphasizing the speed comparison.

that was the speediest

Offers a more formal synonym for "fastest", suitable for sophisticated contexts.

that was the most rapid

Emphasizes the swiftness of the action or event, sounding slightly more scientific.

that was the swiftest

Similar to "most rapid", this choice carries a more elegant or literary tone.

that was the fastest one

Adds specificity by indicating a comparison within a group or set.

that was lightning fast

Introduces a simile to emphasize the extreme speed.

that was incredibly fast

Uses an adverb to intensify the speed, sounding more emphatic.

that was remarkably fast

Highlights the unexpected or noteworthy nature of the speed.

that was surprisingly fast

Focuses on the unexpected element of the high speed achieved.

that was unexpectedly fast

Like 'surprisingly fast' but is slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "that was fastest" in a sentence?

Use "that was fastest" when you want to point out the top speed or quickest occurrence in a comparative context. For instance, "Among all the runners, "that was fastest"."

What is a more common alternative to "that was fastest"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that was the quickest" or "that was the speediest", which are more frequently used to express the same idea.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that was fastest"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, but ensure it's clear what you are comparing. While grammatically sound, using alternatives like "that was the fastest" can often enhance clarity.

How does "that was fastest" differ from "that was the fastest"?

"That was fastest" implies a comparison, but "that was the fastest" explicitly states the superlative, often making the latter clearer and more direct. You may consider using "that was the fastest" instead.