a quick errand

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick errand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a task that needs to be done quickly. For example, "I need to run a quick errand before dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

When she says to him, "I'll be back sometime next year," she speaks in the same tone she'd use if she were running a quick errand.

The New Yorker

Workers are typically granted a short break between trips, enough time just for catching up on e-mail, a quick errand and lunch.

The New York Times

After a quick errand, he drove home, to the well-hidden, amply furnished house he shares with his thirteen-year-old Bengal cat, Hadji.

The New Yorker

"We used to joke that it took a couple hours to run a quick errand in the neighborhood because we see so many people we know just walking a block or two," Lenny Golay said.

The New York Times

By never leaving her alone, even at the age of 10, you are actually handicapping her.thistlelee, ny ny When I was a kid in the 1970s, my mother thought nothing of leaving us in the car while she ran into the store to run a quick errand.

The New York Times

Most tales of woe went like this: a driver left a car in a store's private parking lot, usually in the Bronx, dashed to some other store nearby to do a quick errand and returned minutes later to find the car immobilized by a boot, a large bright-yellow lock attached to a wheel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

On day two, after running a few quick errands and blasting the heat through the vents, the I-Pace's charge is wearing down significantly until it's wavering around 20%.

Forbes

If you're tired, ask yourself if the quick errand you're about to run is absolutely necessary before you get in the car.

HuffPost

Waiting for the kids to sleep through the night, to begin school, to get to the point where they were old enough to eat at a restaurant that didn't have chicken fingers on the menu, to get to an age where I could leave them safely at home alone during the day to run just one quick errand.

Huffington Post

I prep Eliza for a fast errand.

Huffington Post

For starters, at just 1,800 square feet, Amazon Go looks to be targeting what are called fill-in trips, quick errands when shoppers need just a couple of items.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use specific language following "a quick errand" to clarify the purpose. For example, "a quick grocery errand" or "a quick banking errand".

Common error

Avoid assuming "a quick errand" requires no planning. Even short tasks benefit from a list or a mental note to ensure efficiency and prevent forgotten items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick errand" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb, such as "run" or "do", indicating an action performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick errand" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a task that can be completed rapidly. As noted by Ludwig AI, it fits well in both formal and informal settings. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources. When using "a quick errand", ensure that the context is clear and specific, specifying the type of errand when necessary. Consider related phrases like "a brief task" or "a short chore" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief task

Replaces 'errand' with 'task', emphasizing the work aspect while maintaining brevity.

a speedy task

Replaces 'quick' with 'speedy', highlighting the fast nature of the task.

a short chore

Substitutes 'errand' with 'chore', suggesting a household duty or routine activity done quickly.

a swift undertaking

Uses 'swift undertaking' to convey a task that's completed rapidly and efficiently.

a fast assignment

Replaces 'errand' with 'assignment', implying a specific duty or task to be completed promptly.

a prompt duty

Substitutes 'quick errand' with 'prompt duty', emphasizing the need for immediate action.

a rapid job

Employs 'rapid job' to suggest a task is completed with speed and efficiency.

a fleeting mission

Uses 'fleeting mission' to describe an errand done quickly and perhaps secretively.

a lightning run

Replaces the entire phrase with a more colloquial expression emphasizing speed.

a short trip

Focuses on the aspect of going somewhere briefly, rather than the task itself.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a quick errand" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a brief task" or "a short assignment" to maintain a professional tone.

What verbs are commonly used with "a quick errand"?

Common verbs used with "a quick errand" include "run", "do", "make", and "go on". For example, "I need to run a quick errand".

Is it acceptable to say "a quickly errand" instead of "a quick errand"?

No, "a quickly errand" is grammatically incorrect. "Quick" is an adjective describing the noun "errand", while "quickly" is an adverb.

What's the difference between "a quick errand" and "a fool's errand"?

"A quick errand" refers to a brief and simple task. In contrast, "a fool's errand" describes a task that is pointless or has no chance of success.