That was lightning fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "That was lightning fast" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that happened very quickly or efficiently. Example: "She completed the project in just two hours; that was lightning fast!" Alternative expressions include "That was quick" and "That was rapid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I mean, I don't want to spend 20 minutes talking about Lana Del Rey, but that was lightning fast, way too quick.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However exciting Windows 8 software may be, the world will still have to wait to see whether Microsoft's hardware partners will be able to produce devices as alluring in their styling as the iPad, with touch-screens that are lightning fast in their responsiveness and everlasting batteries — all of it packaged together at a price affordable to more than just one-percenters.

The New York Times

This powerful combination makes it simple for retailers to develop mobile sites that are lightning fast - magnitudes faster than responsive mobile web.

Forbes

Attensa launched their first product at Gnomedex in June – an Outlook based reader that is lightning fast and has been getting rave reviews (Jeff Nolan).

TechCrunch

"That's lightning fast.

The Guardian

The key to these two apps is that they're built on Upthere's 4-year-in-the-making stack that's lightning-fast and secure.

TechCrunch

The paddock conference between the golden duo was brief: Jerry Bailey told the trainer Bobby Frankel that the track was lightning fast and that the inside path could make a colt three lengths faster.

The New York Times - Sports

He pointed out that in his early days he was "lightning fast" and too upright, and that his rhythm had developed only after years of intense practice.

The Guardian - Sport

He discovered the importance of speedy parking, replacing the original contractor with one that sharply reduced his valet profits but was lightning fast.

The New York Times

And I have to laugh at the idea that, while in the body, only his mind was lightning fast.

Huffington Post

"It was lightning fast compared to using the correspondent banking network Swift," the interbank messaging platform that connects more than 11,000 financial institutions today.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "That was lightning fast" to emphasize the speed and efficiency of an action or process. It's particularly effective when you want to express surprise or admiration at how quickly something was accomplished.

Common error

While "That was lightning fast" is a vivid expression, avoid using it too frequently in your writing or speech. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your language sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "incredibly quick" or "remarkably swift" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "That was lightning fast" functions as an exclamation expressing surprise or admiration at the speed with which something occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "That was lightning fast" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to emphasize the speed and efficiency of an event or action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed appropriate in different writing contexts. While it's more commonly seen in neutral registers like news reporting, its impact is most effective when used judiciously to highlight truly remarkable speed. Consider alternatives for variety in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That was incredibly quick

Replaces "lightning fast" with "incredibly quick", emphasizing speed.

That was remarkably swift

Uses "remarkably swift" to highlight the speed of the action.

That was extraordinarily rapid

Substitutes "lightning fast" with "extraordinarily rapid", denoting high speed.

That happened in the blink of an eye

Emphasizes the speed by comparing it to the briefness of a blink.

That was done in a flash

Replaces "lightning fast" with "in a flash", implying suddenness and speed.

That was surprisingly prompt

Focuses on the quickness and timeliness of the action.

That was impressively expeditious

Uses "impressively expeditious" to indicate efficiency and speed.

That was completed with great celerity

Emphasizes the speed and efficiency with the term "great celerity".

That was executed with notable alacrity

Highlights the speed and eagerness with "notable alacrity".

That was finished before I knew it

Focuses on the speed by emphasizing how quickly it was completed.

FAQs

How can I use "That was lightning fast" in a sentence?

You can use "That was lightning fast" to describe something that happened very quickly or efficiently. For example, "She completed the project in just two hours; that was lightning fast!"

What phrases are similar to "That was lightning fast"?

You can use alternatives like "that was incredibly quick", "that was remarkably swift", or "that was extraordinarily rapid".

When is it appropriate to use "That was lightning fast"?

It's appropriate to use "That was lightning fast" when you want to emphasize the speed and efficiency of an action or process, often expressing surprise or admiration.

Is "That was lightning fast" a formal or informal expression?

"That was lightning fast" is generally considered an informal expression, suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "that was remarkably swift".