expediate
Low (often considered non-standard or erroneous)Formal or business (though its use is generally discouraged)
Definition
Meaning
To accelerate, hasten, or speed up a process, procedure, or action.
To make something happen more quickly or efficiently; to remove obstacles or simplify in order to reduce time required.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often considered an erroneous blend of "expedite" and "accelerate," used by analogy. Not historically recognized by many standard dictionaries, but appears occasionally in business contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Not formally recognized as standard in either variety. Slight edge in usage appears in American business contexts, but it remains non-standard and often corrected.
Connotations
Generally carries a connotation of incorrect usage or jargon; may be viewed as a pretentious error.
Frequency
Extremely low in both varieties; much less frequent than the correct "expedite."
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] expediates [Object][Subject] expediates [Object] [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., through measures)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none for this non-standard form]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Occasional internal jargon for speeding up processes; not recommended in formal documents.
Academic
Virtually never used; "expedite" is the correct term.
Everyday
Rare; likely to be corrected.
Technical
Not standard in technical terminology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We must expediate the customs clearance to meet the deadline.
- Management sought to expediate the merger proceedings.
- Can we expediate the visa application in any way?
American English
- The new software will expediate the approval workflow.
- He promised to expediate the shipment at no extra cost.
- Our goal is to expediate the resolution of these claims.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival form; use 'expeditious']
American English
- [No standard adjectival form; use 'expeditious']
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Word not typically taught at A2]
- Some people say 'expediate' but the correct word is 'expedite'.
- The manager wanted to expediate the project.
- Despite its occasional use, 'expediate' is not found in most authoritative dictionaries.
- The consultant suggested measures to expediate the implementation phase.
- The non-standard verb 'expediate' is a classic example of a morphological blend, likely influenced by 'expedite' and 'mediate' or 'accelerate'.
- While some professionals use 'expediate' in internal memos, it is advisable to use 'expedite' in all formal correspondence to maintain linguistic precision.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "We need SPEED, so let's expeditEATE it up." (Note: This is to remember the incorrect usage; remember that "expedite" is correct.)
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS MOTION ALONG A PATH; expediating is making that motion faster.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "экспедировать" (to ship/despatch). The correct English equivalent is "expedite."
- Avoid back-translation from a mistaken understanding of "expedite."
Common Mistakes
- Using 'expediate' instead of the standard 'expedite.'
- Confusing its meaning with 'expedition.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard, correct verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is occasionally used, primarily in business contexts, but it is widely considered non-standard or erroneous. The correct and standard word is 'expedite'.
It is likely a blend (portmanteau) of the standard verb 'expedite' and words like 'mediate' or 'accelerate.' It may also arise from a misanalysis of the noun 'expedition.'
No. To ensure clarity and correctness, always use the standard verb 'expedite.' Using 'expediate' may be perceived as an error by many readers and editors.
Some modern online dictionaries may list it as a non-standard or rare variant due to its recorded usage, but major authoritative dictionaries (e.g., Oxford, Merriam-Webster) do not list it as a standard entry. It is often flagged as a common error.