Promptly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Promptly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done quickly or without delay. Example: "Please respond to the email promptly to ensure we meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In order to get the most from the Guardian Masterclass, you should ensure you arrive promptly and attend each session in full.

The Guardian

Beckenbauer promptly took off his draftsman, Magath, and brought on the old battering ram, Hoeness, who in the past had rescued the Germans from such fraught situations.

The Guardian - Sport

He said "we should promptly agree a timetable for accepting the dates and formats of future debates", including in the runup to the EU referendum.

The Guardian

Schumer's head promptly explodes at the contradictions of contemporary womanhood.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"India is a very important market for Xiaomi and we will respond promptly as needed and in full compliance with India's laws," said Manu Jain, head of Xiaomi India, in a statement.

The Guardian - Tech

When it received a request for extra-judiciary assistance from Minsk in February the public prosecutors in Warsaw promptly supplied details of funds transferred.

The Guardian

That has to be done promptly after surgery, said experts.

The Guardian

The opening clause in the editors' code of practice, about accuracy, states: "A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence... ...... On 15 March, The Sun published an "exclusive" splash headlined "Louis in BGT 'fix'fix

The Guardian

The men in baggy green were supposed to fly to South Africa fat and happy on the unprecedented euphoria of their shock Ashes whitewash, take one look at the strange colours of Africa, face up to the first inswinger from Dale Steyn and promptly fall in a heap.

The Guardian - Sport

Trust between him and his defence secretary, Liam Fox, whose made-for-TV protest letter was promptly leaked, is clearly low.

The Guardian - Opinion

The price slump this week prompted Fortescue Metal's chairman Andrew Twiggyy" Forrest to call for a cap on iron ore production which was promptly dismissed by Rinehart and the head of Rio Tinto Sam Walsh.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "promptly" to convey a sense of efficiency and immediacy in your writing. For example, "Please submit your report promptly to ensure timely review."

Common error

Avoid using "promptly" in very casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "right away" or "immediately".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "promptly" is as an adverb, modifying verbs to indicate that an action is performed quickly and without delay. Ludwig AI identifies it as usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Tech

3%

Opinion

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "promptly" functions as an adverb to denote speed and immediacy in action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It is very common, with primary contexts including news, formal business settings, and sports reporting. For alternatives, consider words like "immediately" or "without delay". Use "promptly" to ensure clarity and a sense of efficiency in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Without delay

Emphasizes the absence of any waiting period; actions occur immediately.

Immediately

Stresses instantaneous action, leaving no time gap.

Right away

Suggests an action is performed without hesitation.

Instantly

Highlights the action's near-simultaneous occurrence with the trigger event.

Expeditiously

Indicates that something is done efficiently and quickly.

Swiftly

Focuses on the speed and rapidity of the action.

A.S.A.P.

An initialism meaning "as soon as possible," indicating a high degree of urgency.

On the double

Suggests that something should be done with great speed and urgency.

With dispatch

Highlights the efficiency and speed with which an action is carried out.

Posthaste

An archaic term implying great urgency and speed.

FAQs

How to use "promptly" in a sentence?

"Promptly" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It typically indicates that an action should be done quickly or without delay. Example: "Please respond "to the email" promptly."

What can I say instead of "promptly"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately", "right away", or "without delay" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "respond promptly" or "promptly respond"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "respond promptly" is more common and natural-sounding in most contexts. The placement of the adverb can subtly shift emphasis.

What's the difference between "promptly" and "punctually"?

"Promptly" refers to doing something quickly and without delay, while "punctually" refers to doing something at the agreed or proper time. For example, you arrive "punctually for a meeting", and you respond "promptly to an email".