things picked up speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things picked up speed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where progress or activity is increasing or accelerating. Example: "As the project deadline approached, things picked up speed, and the team worked late into the night to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Things picked up speed the next year, when Kathrine Switzer did Gibbs one better, in the process generating worldwide headlines for inciting what became known as "The Boston Incident".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It isn't until the halfway point of the book that things pick up speed.

Huffington Post

Then things picked up.

The New Yorker

We pick up speed, balancing on bollards, scrambling up walls.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pick up speed and refuse to slow down.

WikiHow

Happily, things pick up.

The New York Times

Things picked up after intermission.

The New York Times - Arts

Things picked up from there.

The New York Times - Arts

Things picked up after halftime.

The New Yorker

The car picked up speed.

The New Yorker

The horses picked up speed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things picked up speed" to describe a noticeable increase in the rate or intensity of an activity or process. It's suitable for contexts where progress was initially slow or stagnant.

Common error

Avoid using "things picked up speed" to describe inherently static situations or those already at their peak. Reserve it for scenarios where a clear acceleration occurs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things picked up speed" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a particular situation or process has increased in pace or intensity. This is supported by examples found by Ludwig, where the phrase describes events accelerating.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things picked up speed" is a versatile phrase used to describe an increase in the pace or intensity of events or processes. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for various contexts, it's important to use it when a clear acceleration occurs. Alternatives like "things accelerated" or "things gained momentum" can also be used, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things accelerated

Focuses on the acceleration aspect of the situation.

things gained momentum

Emphasizes the increasing force or impetus behind the situation.

the pace quickened

Highlights the increased speed or tempo.

the rate intensified

Indicates a sharper increase in activity or development.

activity escalated

Suggests a rise to a higher level or intensity.

progress accelerated

Emphasizes forward movement and its increasing speed.

the situation intensified

Highlights the increase in the severity or intensity of the situation.

the process gained traction

Indicates the process is gaining support and becoming more effective.

the ball started rolling

Suggests that something has begun and is now advancing on its own.

the action heated up

Implies that the level of activity or conflict increased.

FAQs

What does "things picked up speed" mean?

The phrase "things picked up speed" means that a process, activity, or situation started to move or progress more quickly than before. It suggests an increase in pace or intensity.

When is it appropriate to use "things picked up speed"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something initially slow or stagnant has started to accelerate. It is suitable for describing projects, events, or even personal progress.

What are some alternatives to "things picked up speed"?

You can use alternatives like "things accelerated", "things gained momentum", or "the pace quickened" depending on the context.

Is "things picked up speed" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in journalistic or narrative writing than in highly formal academic papers.