Cool MateAccelerate vs Step it up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accelerate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Step it up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Accelerate
| Accelerate | Step it up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //stɛp ɪt ʌp//🇺🇸 //stɛp ɪt ʌp// |
| Meaning | To go faster or make something go faster. | To improve or increase something. |
| Example | The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. | You need to step it up if you want to get good grades this semester. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | dramatically, greatly, rapidly, hard, quickly, smoothly | step it up a notch, step it up in effort, step it up for performance, step it up during training, step it up in quality |
| Antonyms | decelerate, slow down | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'decelerate' (which means to slow down)., Using 'accelerate' without an object when it should have one., Incorrectly assuming it can only apply to vehicles. | Forgetting to add an object after 'step it up'., Confusing with 'step up', which has a slightly different meaning., Using it in overly formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and casual contexts, often related to speed, processes, or improvements. Not typically used in very informal conversation. | Used informally to encourage someone to improve performance or effort. Not suitable for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accelerate vs Step it up
What's the difference between Accelerate and Step it up?
Accelerate: To go faster or make something go faster. Step it up: To improve or increase something.
Which is more formal: Accelerate and Step it up?
Accelerate is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Accelerate: The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. Step it up: You need to step it up if you want to get good grades this semester.
Can I use Accelerate and Step it up interchangeably?
Not always. Accelerate and Step it up are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.