the rate in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the rate in which' is not technically correct in standard written English. It should be replaced with 'the rate at which'. For example, "We need to reduce the rate at which we produce waste or eventually our landfills will be full."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

I think that that rule is the rate in which they bump into each other". The more crowded they are, the more often each ant will bump into another ant.

Stanford University

Though multiple modals are common across a wide geographical area and are not stigmatized, the literature reports great discrepancies among speakers in the rate in which they use them.

Yale University

Alarmed at the rate in which players are forced by their teams to take prescription painkillers they don't want, a movement of former players is pushing the NFL to allow usage of medical marijuana as a proper alternative.

The Guardian - Sport

Nor will the package currently being discussed achieve the minimal target of centrist deficit hawks (myself among them), that of stabilizing the rate in which the national debt is growing in relation to the economy.

The New York Times

A method created by Sean Smith of baseballprojection.com tracks the value of these assorted base-running events by computing the rate in which the major leagues as a whole accumulates plays of each type.

The New York Times

Mrs. Clinton does not lack for support among national committee members — that much was obvious by the rate in which unofficial campaign buttons promoting her for 2016 were sold in the hallway outside the conference room here.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Men and women tied for the rates in which they reported lying to their bosses and arriving to work late on a regular basis.

Forbes

The association between weight gain and obesity with antipsychotics and antidepressants primarily has been investigated in non-incarcerated populations, despite the rates in which these medications have been prescribed in corrections.

Health & Justice

Here we use AERs per 100 000 person-years; these figures are directly comparable with the rates in which cancer registration data are usually expressed.

British Journal of Cancer

This places the patient in one of several categories based on initial CD4 counts and clinical staging and on estimations about the rates in which people may change clinical categories over the duration of the 3 years of the model.

Human Resources for Health

However, the low velocity of ultrasound waves limits the frame rate in which the image is produced, especially for narrow beams and multiple focal points.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "the rate at which" instead of "the rate in which" to ensure grammatical correctness. This simple substitution enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "in which" when referring to rates or speeds. The correct preposition is "at," as it indicates the specific point or manner something occurs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the rate in which" functions as a noun phrase attempting to specify a measure of frequency or speed. However, it is grammatically flawed. As noted by Ludwig AI, it should be "the rate at which."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "the rate in which" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "the rate at which". Although common, particularly in science, news, and academic contexts, using the proper preposition "at" enhances clarity and credibility. Remember, while the intent is clear—to describe speed or frequency—accuracy in grammar is essential for effective communication. Always opt for "the rate at which" to maintain grammatical integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the rate at which

Corrects the grammatical error by replacing 'in which' with the proper preposition 'at which'.

the speed at which

Replaces 'rate' with 'speed' to emphasize velocity, maintaining grammatical correctness with 'at which'.

the frequency with which

Substitutes 'rate' with 'frequency' to highlight how often something occurs, using 'with which' for grammatical accuracy.

the pace at which

Replaces 'rate' with 'pace' to focus on the tempo or rhythm of an occurrence, using 'at which' for correct grammar.

the degree to which

Shifts the focus to the extent or intensity of something, replacing 'rate' with 'degree' and using 'to which' for proper syntax.

the extent to which

Similar to 'the degree to which', this phrase emphasizes the scope or range, maintaining grammatical correctness with 'to which'.

the proportion in which

Focuses on the ratio or percentage, keeping 'in which' but changing the emphasis from speed to relative amount.

the tempo at which

Uses 'tempo' instead of 'rate' to refer to the speed or rhythm, employing 'at which' for grammatical correctness.

how quickly

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct question of speed or rapidity, avoiding 'rate' altogether.

how rapidly

Similar to 'how quickly', this focuses on the swiftness of an event, using an adverb instead of a noun phrase.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "the rate in which"?

The grammatically correct alternative is "the rate at which". The preposition 'at' is more appropriate in this context.

Can I use "the pace in which" instead of "the rate in which"?

While "the pace in which" might seem similar, it's also grammatically incorrect. A better alternative is "the pace at which", or using a different construction like "how quickly".

Is there a single word I can use instead of "the rate in which"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "speed", "frequency", or "tempo". For example, instead of "the rate in which something happens", you might say "the speed at which it happens", correcting the preposition too.

What's the difference between "the rate in which" and "the degree to which"?

"The rate in which" attempts to describe speed or frequency, but is grammatically incorrect. "The degree to which" refers to the extent or intensity of something, focusing on magnitude rather than speed, and is grammatically correct.