alarmingly quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alarmingly quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happens at a fast pace that causes concern or surprise. Example: "The situation escalated alarmingly quickly, leaving everyone in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Anyone can get an idea alarmingly quickly of what it's like in the mind of some of these guys".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Despite our horrendous loss, aside from the odd unexpected bout of car-park crying, we superficially revert back alarmingly quickly to our normal selves.

Independent

The problem, the utility's shareholders say, is that they have little information about the deal, which they contend is moving alarmingly quickly.

The New York Times

Beware, however, that even if you manage to remove a large proportion of the blighters, they are likely to repopulate your herbaceous borders alarmingly quickly.

The Guardian

They yielded a substance now used as a muscle relaxant in surgery.Related items Conservation in Brazil: Managing the rainforestsMay 10th 2001 The line of least resistanceMay 3rd 2001 A genetic paperchaseMay 3rd 2001He inevitably became concerned that the Amazonian jungle and its inhabitants were disappearing alarmingly quickly.

The Economist

He longed to know what life and death were, whether sleep formed a bridge between them, and where his spirit travelled when he was unconscious (a state into which he could fall alarmingly quickly, sometimes sliding onto the floor or almost into the fire).

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Ricciardo was just 0.125secs behind Alonso despite a massive 'moment' in Blanchimont, the Red Bull running wide and snapping alarmingly, the driver reacting quickly to stop a potentially major accident.

BBC

Watch a couple of video essays dissecting superhero movies on YouTube, and the algorithm will quickly begin to suggest alarmingly aggressive takedowns of movies like Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and The Last Jedi.

Forbes

AFter 2002, the deficit will quickly reappear and then climb alarmingly unless policies are altered..

The New Yorker

Note to pediatricians: Swallowed batteries damage children's insides alarmingly fast and need to be treated as quickly as possible, say the authors of a study in the September issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.

Los Angeles Times

Yet without Jones winning the ball in tough ahead of the back four and Nguyen helping move the ball quickly and confidently upfield, the Revs were alarmingly thin going the other way.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alarmingly quickly" to emphasize not just speed, but also a sense of worry or concern about how fast something is happening. This adds emotional weight to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "alarmingly quickly" in contexts where the rapid pace is beneficial or desired. The phrase implies a negative or concerning aspect to the speed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarmingly quickly" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something happens not only rapidly, but also in a way that causes concern or alarm. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alarmingly quickly" is an adverbial phrase that conveys both speed and a sense of concern. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While there are many alternative ways to express similar ideas, such as "disturbingly quickly" or "surprisingly quickly", it's important to maintain that the phrase is used to express worry. Use the phrase to show urgency and alert the reader about an issue that needs attention. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used across different contexts, however, in formal context this phrase has to be used with attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alarmingly fast

Replaces "quickly" with its synonym "fast", maintaining the alarming tone.

disturbingly quickly

Emphasizes the unsettling nature of the speed more strongly.

amazingly quickly

Focuses on the surprising aspect of the speed.

remarkably quickly

Highlights the unusual nature of the speed.

extremely quickly

Stresses the high degree of speed.

unexpectedly quickly

Highlights that the quickness was not anticipated.

unbelievably quickly

Focuses on the difficulty in accepting the speed.

surprisingly quickly

Emphasizes the element of surprise.

dramatically quickly

Indicates a sudden and significant change in speed.

alarmingly soon

Shifts the focus to the timing being earlier than expected while maintaining the alarming nature.

FAQs

How can I use "alarmingly quickly" in a sentence?

Use "alarmingly quickly" to describe situations where the speed of an event is concerning or unexpected. For example, "The disease spread alarmingly quickly through the population."

What are some alternatives to saying "alarmingly quickly"?

You can use alternatives like "disturbingly quickly", "surprisingly quickly", or "unexpectedly quickly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "alarmingly quickly" in formal writing?

Yes, "alarmingly quickly" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a rapid and concerning development. However, ensure the tone aligns with the seriousness of the subject matter.

What's the difference between "alarmingly quickly" and "alarmingly fast"?

While "quickly" and "fast" are synonyms, "alarmingly quickly" might emphasize the suddenness and unexpected nature of the speed, while "alarmingly fast" may focus more on the intensity of the speed itself. The difference is subtle and often context-dependent.