act speedily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act speedily" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when urging someone to take quick action or respond promptly to a situation. Example: "In emergencies, it is crucial to act speedily to ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The gig economy can only get stronger: the economic pressures to act speedily and flexibly in the digital age are unrelenting.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I hope that this information will enable the police to act speedily to stamp out these criminals who are putting the future of the food industry at risk".

The Guardian - Business

"I expect the member states ... to act speedily and effectively ... in the naval operation, in the saving of lives at sea and in the management of the people we save," Mogherini said, though she provided few specifics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Responding to such criticism, José Blanco, one of Mr. Zapatero's senior ministers and the spokesman for his government, told the radio station Ser on Thursday that the government would have liked to "share with citizens" so big a step but had been forced to act speedily given the severity of the crisis and the financial market turmoil.

The New York Times

The new set-up, says Mr Tolmasquim, would allow the government to take things such as the exchange rate into account when it takes decisions on exploration.Even if Congress heeds Lula's plea to act speedily, it cannot approve the bills until December.

The Economist

"The government will enforce the laws of the country and will not hesitate to act speedily and decisively.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In Scotland, where the devolved government proposed repeal at the beginning of January, the opposition has acted speedily and noisily.

The Economist

But Corbyn's advisers only acted speedily because they had seen Hilary Benn on Sky News supporting military action.

Independent

He was immediately dropped by his party, keen to assure voters that it acts speedily against miscreants who apparently lie to voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

The authorities acted speedily, closing Sharm el-Sheikh's beaches and sending out conservation teams to track and capture the shark, identified as an oceanic whitetip.

The Guardian

Mr. Herbert also said that while Mr. Ganim was in office, the City Council acted speedily to approve a lease for the stadium; when the lease was renewed, delays were considerable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "act speedily" can add a tone of urgency and purposefulness.

Common error

While "act speedily" is correct, be mindful of overusing adverbs ending in '-ly', as excessive formality can sometimes sound unnatural. Consider whether a stronger verb or a more concise phrasing might be more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act speedily" functions as a verb phrase, where "act" is the main verb and "speedily" is an adverb modifying the verb. It expresses the manner in which an action should be performed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showcasing examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "act speedily" is a grammatically sound phrase that advises prompt and effective action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through real-world examples primarily found in News & Media. While "act speedily" is appropriate for professional or formal contexts, it's crucial to be mindful of overusing adverbs ending in '-ly'. Semantically related alternatives include phrases like "act promptly" or "take swift action", which may suit different contexts better. When using "act speedily", emphasize that both speed and efficiency are crucial for the desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act promptly

Emphasizes immediate action without necessarily implying speed.

act quickly

Focuses on the speed of the action, but can sometimes imply acting without sufficient thought.

act immediately

Highlights the lack of delay in taking action.

respond rapidly

Specifically refers to a quick reaction or answer to something.

take swift action

More formal and emphasizes the decisiveness of the action.

move swiftly

Emphasizes the speed of progress or advancement towards a goal.

expedite action

More formal and focused on accelerating a process or procedure.

hasten to act

Implies a sense of urgency or eagerness to take action.

swing into action

Suggests a dynamic and forceful commencement of activity.

spring into action

Implies initiating action with sudden energy or enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "act speedily" in a sentence?

Use "act speedily" when you want to emphasize the importance of taking quick and effective action. For example: "The government needs to "act speedily" to address the crisis."

What are some alternatives to "act speedily"?

You can use alternatives like "act promptly", "act quickly", or "take swift action" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "act speedily" or "act fast"?

"Act speedily" is generally more formal and suggests efficiency. "Act fast" is more informal and emphasizes speed alone.

What is the difference between "act speedily" and "respond speedily"?

"Act speedily" refers to initiating an action quickly, whereas "respond speedily" refers to reacting or replying quickly to something.