At a rapid rate meaning in English
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Definition
(to grow) at a rapid rate: (to grow) quickly, fast, speedily
The plague is spreading at a rapid rate. It is moving from city to city extremely quickly.
Examples
- "Susie : Well, the main point here is that European borders are expanding at a rapid rate and everyone wants to benefit from the economic security that the EU provides."
Exercise 1
Susie talks about the European "borders expanding at a rapid rate".
This means that the of Europe is/are at .
This means that the of Europe is/are at .
Susie talks about the European "borders expanding at a rapid rate".
This means that the perimeters 1 of Europe is/are growing 2 at a fast pace 3.
This means that the perimeters 1 of Europe is/are growing 2 at a fast pace 3.
1 perimeters: A "border" is the line or boundary which separates two or more countries (in this case). When Susie says "European borders are expanding", she means that the continent of Europe is growing by incorporating more countries into the union.
1 power: A "border" does not share a similar meaning with "power", which refers to the military or political strength of a country in this context.
1 influence: A "border" does not share a similar meaning with "influence".
2 growing: "To expand" means "to grow bigger" (or simply to get bigger). We can speak of something physically expanding, (such as the universe growing bigger and bigger) or something figuratively expanding (such as the influence of the government). In this case, when Susie speaks of the European borders expanding she means that the European boundaries are "extending" or growing bigger.
2 shrinking: "To shrink" actually expresses the opposite meaning of "to expand". Clothes often "shrink" in the laundry if they are washed improperly.
2 rising: A border cannot "rise" or "fall", however it can "grow, shrink or expand". Although in a different context the verb "to rise" may share a similar sense of "growth" or "expansion", in English, a "border" cannot "rise". To rise means to ascend or elevate.
2 falling: A border cannot "rise" or "fall", however it can "grow, shrink or expand". "To fall" is to descend or drop.
3 a fast pace: The expression "at a rapid rate" indicates that a process is occurring "quickly". Susie is saying the frontiers of the European Union are growing bigger "quickly". A "rate" is the measure of this expansion (in this context). The term "pace" refers to the speed at which an action occurs. For example: At his current pace, John will finish the marathon in 3 hours.
3 an exponential rhythm: The expression "at a rapid rate" does not express the same idea as "exponential" growth. In English, the term "rhythm" is not frequently used to refer to the speed or rate that borders expand (for example).
3 long last: The expression "at a rapid rate" simply means "quickly" and not "at last" or at "long last". The phrase "at last" is synonymous with the term "finally".
3 a surprising speed: Although "a rate" can in fact be a rhythm, pace or speed, it is not accurate to say that the phrase "at a rapid rate" shares a similar meaning with "a surprising speed". The term "rapid" indicates a fast or quick action, and not a surprising one.
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