the rate of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the rate of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the speed or frequency with which something is happening. For example, "The rate of inflation increased significantly last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What will be the rate of inflation?

The Economist

What is the rate of flow?

The New York Times

The rate of incarceration also increased rapidly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the rate of loss is declining.

The New York Times

The rate of killing is accelerating.

The New York Times

The rate of accidents and errors rises.

The New Yorker

The rate of rape is horrifying.

The Economist

And the rate of job creation plummeted.

The New York Times

The rate of economic decline has slowed.

The Economist

The rate of appreciation initially spiked.

The New York Times

But the rate of growth is startling.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the rate of", ensure you specify the units of measurement to provide clarity and context. For example, "the rate of growth per year" or "the rate of flow in liters per second".

Common error

Avoid confusing "the rate of" with the total amount or quantity. "The rate of increase" describes how quickly something is growing, while the "total increase" represents the overall change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the rate of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, creating a noun phrase. Ludwig indicates it is correct and usable in written English. It is used to specify a measure, quantity, or frequency concerning a particular phenomenon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the rate of" is a versatile phrase used to describe the speed or frequency at which something happens. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Usage patterns indicate its prevalence in news and media, science, and formal business writing. To use it effectively, specify the units of measurement and avoid confusing it with total quantities. Related phrases, like "the pace of" and "the speed of", can provide alternatives for expressing similar concepts. Remember, clarity and context are key to ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the pace of

Replaces "rate" with "pace", emphasizing the speed or tempo at which something occurs.

the speed of

Substitutes "rate" with "speed", focusing on how quickly something happens or moves.

the frequency of

Replaces "rate" with "frequency", highlighting how often something occurs within a given time.

the proportion of

Shifts the focus from speed to the amount or extent of something relative to a whole.

the percentage of

Specifies the rate as a proportion out of 100, often used for statistical data.

the incidence of

Focuses on how often something occurs, especially in the context of events or problems.

the degree of

Refers to the extent or intensity of something, rather than its speed or frequency.

the extent of

Indicates the range or scope of something, which may not directly relate to rate.

the measure of

Highlights the method or standard used to quantify something, differing from rate itself.

the tempo of

Replaces "rate" with "tempo", highlighting the rhythm or beat at which something progresses.

FAQs

How can I use "the rate of" in a sentence?

Use "the rate of" to describe how quickly or frequently something happens. For example, "The rate of inflation has increased" or "The rate of production has slowed down".

What are some alternatives to "the rate of"?

You can use alternatives like "the pace of", "the speed of", or "the frequency of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the rate of speed"?

While understandable, "the rate of speed" can be redundant. It's generally more concise to simply say "the speed" or "the rate", as speed inherently implies a rate of change.

What's the difference between "the rate of" and "the level of"?

"The rate of" describes how quickly something changes over time, while "the level of" refers to a static measurement or quantity at a particular point in time. For example, "the rate of unemployment" vs. "the level of unemployment".