to quicken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to quicken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making something happen faster or to increase the speed of a process. Example: "The new software is designed to quicken the data processing time significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We want to quicken the pace".

The New York Times - Sports

There was no reason for Stevens to quicken.

The New York Times - Sports

The pace of life seems to quicken with the altitude.

The New York Times - Travel

But now it's the time to quicken the pace.

The Guardian

The subway stairs, for instance, failed to quicken my heart.

The New York Times

"We are working with African troop contributors to quicken their deployment to Mali," Mr. Vietor said.

The New York Times

Pressure will mount to quicken the pace through the remaining dozens of witnesses.

The New York Times

"When he was asked to quicken he quickened really nicely," Grimthorpe said.

Independent

And never once did it threaten to quicken the heart or the mind.

The New York Times - Arts

The pace of change is likely to quicken under a Conservative government.

The Economist

Scott became the coach, bringing his tough-love style and a demand to quicken the pace.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to quicken" in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being accelerated or made faster. For example, "to quicken the pace of development" or "to quicken the healing process" provide clarity.

Common error

While "to quicken" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or technical documents where more precise terms like "to accelerate" or "to expedite" might be more appropriate. Consider your audience and the overall tone of the writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to quicken" functions primarily as an infinitive verb, often used with another verb to express the purpose of accelerating or expediting an action or process. Ludwig confirms that the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to quicken" is a versatile and frequently used phrase, deemed grammatically correct. Ludwig AI indicates that it commonly serves the purpose of expressing the intent to accelerate or expedite an action or process. It is most prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts, exhibiting a neutral register suitable for various audiences. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being accelerated. While generally appropriate, consider more precise alternatives like "to accelerate" or "to expedite" in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to accelerate

This alternative focuses on increasing the rate or speed of something, similar to "to quicken" but often used in more technical contexts.

to expedite

This term emphasizes making a process faster and more efficient, often used in formal or business settings.

to hasten

Similar to "to quicken", this emphasizes making something happen sooner or more rapidly.

to speed up

A more informal way of saying "to quicken", implying an increase in velocity or pace.

to advance

This suggests moving something forward more rapidly in time or progress.

to boost

This implies giving a sudden increase in speed or effectiveness.

to intensify

This suggests increasing the strength or degree of something, leading to a faster outcome.

to step up

Similar to "to speed up", suggesting an increased effort or pace.

to promote

This focuses on encouraging or facilitating faster progress or development.

to push forward

Emphasizes actively working to make something progress at a faster rate.

FAQs

How can I use "to quicken" in a sentence?

You can use "to quicken" in sentences such as, "The company implemented new strategies "to quicken the pace" of innovation" or "Researchers are exploring new methods "to quicken the recovery process" after surgery".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to quicken"?

Alternatives include "to accelerate", "to expedite", "to hasten", or "to speed up", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "to quicken"?

"To quicken" is suitable for a variety of contexts, including business, science, and general writing, where the goal is to describe accelerating a process or activity. It's particularly effective when you want to emphasize the act of making something faster without necessarily specifying the exact mechanism.

Is "to quicken" formal or informal?

"To quicken" falls in a relatively neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, for extremely formal or technical writing, alternatives like "to expedite" or "to accelerate" might be preferred.