What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rate
Example
The rate at which the population is growing is alarming. [rate: noun]
Example
She is learning at a rapid rate. [rate: noun]
Example
He rated the movie as one of the best he had ever seen. [rated: past tense verb]
speed
Example
The car was traveling at a high speed. [speed: noun]
Example
She increased her running speed to finish the race faster. [speed: noun]
Example
He sped through the intersection before the light turned red. [sped: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Speed is more commonly used than rate in everyday language. Speed is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while rate is more specialized and often used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rate and speed?
Both rate and speed can be used in formal or informal contexts, but rate is more commonly used in technical or scientific writing, where precision and accuracy are important.
