Meaning & use
moderate pace
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
a speed that is neither fast nor slow; a steady, medium rate of movement or progress.
Grammar: Used mainly after 'at a' or 'at a more': walk at a moderate pace.
Patterns
- at a moderate pace
- at a more moderate pace
- move/proceed at a moderate pace
The guide asked us to walk at a moderate pace so everyone could keep up.
The economy is growing at a moderate pace this year.
She set off at a moderate pace, saving her energy for the final hill.
Common combinations
- at a moderate pace
- We cycled at a moderate pace along the river.
- a moderate pace of change
- The company prefers a moderate pace of change to avoid disruption.
- proceed at a moderate pace
- Please proceed at a moderate pace through the exhibition.
- maintain a moderate pace
- Runners should maintain a moderate pace for the first mile.
Synonyms and how they differ
- steady pace
- Emphasizes consistency rather than medium speed; a steady pace can be fast or slow.
- gentle pace
- Suggests a slower, easier speed than moderate; often used for relaxed activities.
- moderate speed
- Very similar, but 'speed' is more technical and often used for vehicles or machines.
Opposites
Word family
- moderately adverb
- to a medium degree; not extremely
- moderation noun
- the quality of being moderate; avoiding extremes
Commonly confused: moderate pace or modest pace?
moderate pace vs modest pace
'Modest' means not large or expensive, so 'a modest pace' can mean a fairly slow speed, but it is less common and sounds more literary.
Practice
Choose the correct preposition: 'The hikers moved ___ a moderate pace.'
Choose one answer.
'At' is used with 'pace' to describe speed: at a moderate pace. 'In' would be used for a period (in a moderate time), not for pace.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “moderate pace”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.