a quick picture

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick picture" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe an image that was taken or created quickly, without much preparation or thought. Example: "I didn't have much time, so I snapped a quick picture of the sunset before it disappeared behind the buildings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Technology

Travel

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Just a quick picture.

The New York Times

"It's so easy to just take a quick picture of what I'm eating and no one really notices".

The New York Times - Food

Input the details, take a quick picture and, hey presto, you've informed your local council of the problem.

The Guardian - Money

A few days ago, I sent my sister a simple multimedia message — nothing out of the ordinary, just a quick picture I'd snapped and wanted her to see.

The New York Times

It is strongly recommended that you keep a copy of your work; if handwritten, you might, for instance, take a quick picture of your homework before submitting.

Princeton University

On Sunday, I took a quick picture, then kept the phone in my hand while walking, anticipating that I'd take more.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The new functions – record a quick video, take a picture, or record a quick voice message – are being added by the medium of the "long press".

The Guardian - Tech

Take a few pictures or a quick video if you must, but don't try to film every song or sneak around the musicians trying to get the perfect instagram shot.

Huffington Post

Taking a crisp, quick picture with your phone is hard enough, but taking a picture of a criminal attacking and/or stalking you borders on impossible.

TechCrunch

We just thought a little quick picture and [we'd] be done.

Huffington Post

When you arrive, do a quick inspection for any damage to the walls or furniture, and snap a few quick pictures — if you have a smartphone, a couple of panorama shots would do nicely.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to take a photograph, use “a quick picture” to convey that you don't need a perfectly staged or time-consuming shot.

Common error

While “a quick picture” is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like “snapshot” or “brief photograph” to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick picture" functions as a noun phrase, where "quick" modifies the noun "picture". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick picture" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe or request a rapidly taken photograph. Ludwig AI's analysis, combined with numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its widespread usage. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "snapshot" for variation. This phrase is generally neutral in tone and suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and lifestyle content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief photograph

Highlights the short amount of time taken to capture the image.

a snapshot

Refers to a casual photograph taken quickly.

a rapid photo

Focuses on the speed at which the picture was taken.

a fast picture

Similar to 'rapid photo', but with a slightly more informal tone.

a swift image

Highlights the speed or efficiency of capturing the picture.

a hasty snapshot

Suggests the picture was taken in a rush, possibly without careful consideration.

a moment's capture

Emphasizes the brevity of the time it took to take the picture.

a fleeting image

Emphasizes the image's transience or how quickly it appears and disappears.

a glimpse

Implies a very short or incomplete view of something, captured visually.

a digital impression

Focuses on the picture as a modern and easily shareable visual record.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick picture" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick picture" to describe taking a photograph rapidly, such as, "I just need to take "a quick picture" before we leave."

What's a more formal way to say "a quick picture"?

While "a quick picture" is suitable for most situations, you might consider "a brief photograph" or "a snapshot" in more formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "a quick picture"?

You can use alternatives like "snapshot", "brief photo", or "hasty photo" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "a quick picture" and "a quick photo"?

No, "a quick picture" and "a quick photo" are generally interchangeable and have the same meaning.