Expedite – Definition and Part of Speech
Expedite, primarily used as a verb, means to make something happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly. It involves actions designed to speed up processes, ensuring faster completion. This term is particularly prevalent in business and professional environments, emphasizing efficiency and promptness.
The word “expedite” can also function informally as an adjective, seen in phrases like “an expedited service,” where it describes the quality or characteristic of being hastened.
Core Synonyms
Below is a table highlighting key synonyms for expedite, each with its definition nuances and usage examples. These are organized without ranking them by strength but rather their contextual fit.
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accelerate | To increase speed or efficiency | “We need to accelerate the project timeline.” | Formal/Business |
| Hasten | To cause something to happen sooner than expected | “She hastened her departure due to the storm.” | Informal/General |
| Facilitate | To make a process easier or faster | “The new software facilitates customer support.” | Business/Academic |
| Rush | To do something very quickly, often with haste | “Please rush this task before our meeting at 3 PM.” | Casual/Informal |
| Swiftly | Acting quickly and efficiently | “They processed the application swiftly.” | Formal/Literary |
Usage Notes
- Accelerate is suitable for formal contexts, often used in business or scientific discourse when referring to increasing speed or efficiency.
- Hasten carries a slightly informal tone but fits well in both general and narrative writing, suggesting urgency without the connotation of pressure.
- Facilitate is frequently utilized in academic and professional settings where processes are being discussed. It emphasizes ease rather than sheer speed.
- Rush, while versatile across contexts, implies a sense of urgency or impatience that may not always be ideal for formal communications.
- Swiftly serves well in both literary and formal writing, conveying quickness with an emphasis on grace or smooth execution.
Common Pitfalls
A common error involves using expedite where another synonym would be more appropriate. For example:
- “We will expedite the meeting to 10 AM” could be better phrased as “We will hasten the meeting start time to 10 AM,” especially in informal contexts.
Additionally, it’s crucial to remember that while facilitate means making something easier or faster, it does not inherently imply urgency. This distinction can prevent misunderstandings regarding project timelines or expectations.
Final Recap
The key synonyms for expedite, such as accelerate, hasten, facilitate, rush, and swiftly, each have distinct nuances that make them suitable in varying contexts:
- Use accelerate for formal settings requiring a focus on speed or efficiency.
- Opt for hasten when suggesting urgency without undue pressure, fitting both informal and narrative uses.
- Choose facilitate to describe making processes easier rather than merely faster.
- Select rush in casual communication where urgency is key, though it might convey haste.
- Employ swiftly for formal or literary contexts emphasizing quickness with efficiency.
By practicing the use of these synonyms in appropriate scenarios—whether writing sentences or engaging in conversation—you can enhance your vocabulary and communicate more effectively across different registers.