almost promptly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost promptly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that occurs very soon after a certain event, but not immediately. Example: "The package was shipped almost promptly after the order was placed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Conscious of internet-eroded attention spans, the autumn/winter 2015 show began almost promptly, at 1.05pm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The other items came almost as promptly.

The New York Times

Mr Blix reported that Iraq has co-operated "rather well" on the mechanics of inspection: his staff have been admitted to all the places they have visited, almost always promptly.

The Economist

Rate cuts when inflation is low almost always promptly lead to higher stock markets.

Forbes

The SN destruction time-scale τsn is almost constant promptly after the first few hundreds of Myr.

Earth, Planets and Space

Having won a second term, though once again without a parliamentary majority, Mr Harper promptly almost lost it over a government economic statement in late November.

The Economist

It got lots of downloads, raised almost $20 million, and promptly shot itself in the foot by adding a bunch of extraneous features to version 2.0 of it iPhone and Android apps.

TechCrunch

She then turned pro, signed with Nike, and promptly almost won a women's professional major, the LPGA Championship.

Huffington Post

In an indicator of the value of his government ties, China Satellite's stock promptly rose almost 50 percent.

The New York Times

The increases were widely criticized as treating the wrong symptom — incipient inflation rather than depressed growth — especially after euro zone growth promptly slowed almost to nothing.

The New York Times

At such a moment, one question promptly and almost invariably arises across the media, across Washington and across the country: Who did it and why?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost promptly" to convey a sense of urgency or efficiency, where an action is completed very soon after a triggering event, but not necessarily instantaneously.

Common error

Avoid using "almost promptly" when the action truly happens without any delay. In cases of instant action, 'immediately' or 'instantly' would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost promptly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the timing of an action. It indicates that an event occurred very soon after another, but not instantaneously, as supported by the Ludwig AI. For example, 'the autumn/winter 2015 show began "almost promptly", at 1.05pm.'

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost promptly" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase that describes an action happening quickly, but not immediately, after another event. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. While relatively rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the slight delay it implies and ensure it accurately reflects the timing of the action you are describing. Alternatives like "nearly immediately" or "just about instantly" may be more appropriate if there is virtually no delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nearly immediately

Emphasizes the close proximity in time, with an implication of slight delay.

Just about instantly

Highlights the near-instantaneous nature of the action.

Very quickly thereafter

Adds a sense of sequence and speed to the subsequent action.

Almost instantaneously

Focuses on the minimal amount of time passing before the action occurs.

Practically right away

Suggests the action happens with very little delay and is easily done.

Close to immediately

Directly indicates a short duration before the action takes place.

In short order

Implies efficiency and speed, but with a touch of formality.

In relatively short time

Highlights the efficiency of the action within the time scale.

After a negligible delay

Stresses that any delay was too small to be noticed or significant.

With little delay

Highlights the speed while emphasizing the near absence of any delay.

FAQs

What does "almost promptly" mean?

The phrase "almost promptly" means that something happens very quickly after another event, but not quite immediately. It implies a short delay, but a rapid response overall.

How can I use "almost promptly" in a sentence?

You can use "almost promptly" to describe an action that follows quickly after a specific event. For example: 'The package was shipped "nearly immediately" after the order was placed.'

What are some alternatives to "almost promptly"?

Alternatives to "almost promptly" include "nearly immediately", "just about instantly", or "very quickly thereafter". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "almost promptly" formal or informal?

"Almost promptly" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may be slightly less common in very casual conversation. Consider the audience and the overall tone of your writing.