Cool MateAccelerate vs Flooring it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accelerate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Flooring it
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: AccelerateMost common: Accelerate
| Accelerate | Flooring it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //flɔːr ɪt//🇺🇸 //flɔr ɪt// |
| Meaning | To go faster or make something go faster. | Driving very fast |
| Example | The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. | They told me to floor it when we saw the green light. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | dramatically, greatly, rapidly, hard, quickly, smoothly | floor it on the highway, floor it at the traffic light, floor it in a race |
| 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. | Confused with 'accelerate' - flooring it is much more informal and emphasizes speed., Using in a context that requires a more serious tone., Forgetting to use it only in driving contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and casual contexts, often related to speed, processes, or improvements. Not typically used in very informal conversation. | Often used in casual conversations, especially among younger speakers. Not typically used in formal writing or professional settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accelerate vs Flooring it
What's the difference between Accelerate and Flooring it?
Accelerate: To go faster or make something go faster. Flooring it: Driving very fast
Which is more formal: Accelerate and Flooring it?
Accelerate is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Accelerate and Flooring it?
Accelerate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Accelerate: The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. Flooring it: They told me to floor it when we saw the green light.
Can I use Accelerate and Flooring it interchangeably?
Not always. Accelerate and Flooring it 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.