What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sped
Example
The car sped down the highway, trying to catch up to the truck. [sped: verb]
Example
He was caught by the police for having sped through the red light. [sped: past participle]
Example
She sped through her homework so she could go out with her friends. [sped: verb]
accelerated
Example
The company accelerated its production to meet the high demand. [accelerated: verb]
Example
The medicine accelerated the healing process of the wound. [accelerated: past participle]
Example
She took an accelerated course to finish her degree in less time. [accelerated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accelerated is more commonly used than sped in everyday language. Accelerated is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while sped is more specific and often used in the context of driving or vehicles.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sped and accelerated?
Both sped and accelerated are relatively formal words and are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing. However, accelerated may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage.
