three times faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "three times faster" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how quickly something is done or how much faster something is than something else. For example, "Our new production line can print envelopes three times faster than the old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile house prices are rising three times faster than wages.

The Guardian

Others have reported rates two or three times faster.

The Economist

But sales of generic drugs are surging three times faster.

The Economist

Not surprisingly, in the last three years London has grown three times faster than the north.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the game started, it seemed to be three times faster than Lewis had remembered it.

The New York Times

We are now losing jobs almost three times faster than we are creating them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Debt has grown three times faster than the national economy over the last 15 years.

The New York Times

The more serious challenge comes from China, which has been growing three times faster.

The Economist

"Michael Dukakis created jobs three times faster than you did, Mitt," Perry said at one point.

The New York Times

China will grow four times faster than that; India three times faster.

The New York Times

Mr Joseph said: "Passengers will see season tickets going up three times faster than their wages.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "three times faster" to emphasize efficiency or improvement, showing a substantial enhancement in speed.

Common error

Avoid using "faster by three times" because it implies an additive increase rather than a multiplicative one. "Three times faster" clearly communicates a rate that is tripled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "three times faster" functions as an adverbial phrase of degree, modifying a verb to indicate the extent to which an action is performed more quickly. Ludwig shows its use in comparing speeds or rates across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "three times faster" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a significant increase in speed or efficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. To ensure clarity, use "three times faster" instead of potentially ambiguous alternatives like "faster by three times". When aiming to clearly express a rate or velocity increase, this phrase is your best bet. Consider alternatives like "at triple the speed" or "threefold increase in speed" for similar meanings. Ensure to avoid misunderstanding or misinterpreting by using "three times faster" rather than "faster by three times" because it implies an additive increase rather than a multiplicative one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving three times as quickly

Uses 'quickly' as an adverb to describe the speed of movement.

at triple the speed

Emphasizes the rate or velocity, quantifying it as triple the normal speed.

three times the velocity

A more formal way to state the increase in speed, using the term 'velocity'.

tripled in pace

Directly states the pace has increased to three times its original rate.

threefold increase in speed

Highlights the increase in velocity, focusing on the multiplicative factor.

performing three times more swiftly

Describes the performance speed, stating it's done more swiftly and at a triple rate.

operating three times more rapidly

Implies a higher operational speed compared to a standard pace.

accelerated at a triple rate

Focuses on the acceleration, specifying that it occurs at three times the standard rate.

advancing with triple the pace

Focuses on the progression or advancement, noting it occurs with three times the usual pace.

expedited threefold

Highlights the expedited nature of the action, indicating it's done at triple the speed.

FAQs

How do I use "three times faster" in a sentence?

You can use "three times faster" to compare the speed of two processes or activities. For example, "The new software processes data "three times faster" than the old one."

What are some alternatives to saying "three times faster"?

Alternatives include "at triple the speed", "threefold increase in speed", or "moving three times as quickly", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "faster by three times" instead of "three times faster"?

While understandable, "faster by three times" can be ambiguous. "Three times faster" is clearer and more commonly used to indicate a multiplicative increase in speed.

What's the difference between "twice as fast" and ""three times faster""?

"Twice as fast" means something is moving or operating at double the speed, while ""three times faster"" indicates it's moving or operating at triple the speed. The difference lies in the magnitude of the increase.