as quickly as needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as quickly as needed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the speed at which something should be done, indicating that the action should be performed at a pace that is appropriate for the situation. Example: "We will complete the project as quickly as needed to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But if the instructions could be stored in the same electronic memory that held the data, they could be accessed as quickly as needed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Steering on the Turbo S is tight and responsive and the brakes feel up to the task of stopping the car as quickly as needed.

Forbes

One oft-stated worry is that when it is time to normalize policy, we will be unable to withdraw reserves as quickly as needed to prevent an unwanted rise in inflation.

Huffington Post

The fact is that too few people acquire better skills as quickly as needed; too few disenfranchised families relocate to more promising regions; and the combination of decaying skills and lack of mobility generates a downward spiral of discontent.

Huffington Post

While I knew that there was no way possible for our Benevolence Committee to act as quickly as needed or to completely cover Felicia's outstanding rental obligation, I knew the Benevolence Committee would do its best to intervene on her behalf.

Huffington Post

Thus, ways in which patients and providers cope with a resource-poor system, committed to equity but unable to deliver as quickly as needed, are identified.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Fairlove representative who contacted her via e-mail said something about how the company often had trouble getting money to its clients overseas as quickly as they needed it, and desperately needed help speeding up that process (at least they were honest on that claim).

TechCrunch

But to its dismay, only the IMF appears ready to offer the sums it needs as quickly as it needs them.

The Economist

Hundreds of mental health beds have closed in recent years – some due to a welcome, increased focus on community support – but this has put pressure on the system which means those in crisis are not always receiving the support they need, as quickly as they need, sometimes with devastating consequences.

Independent

"I probably didn't quite maybe get over those as quickly as I needed to.

The New York Times

Ms. Phillips said she also faced financial challenges from stores who weren't paying her as quickly as she needed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as quickly as needed" when you want to communicate that something should be done with appropriate speed, not necessarily the fastest possible speed, but fast enough to meet requirements or address a specific situation effectively.

Common error

Avoid constructions where the actor is unclear. For example, instead of "The problem was addressed as quickly as needed", specify who addressed the problem: "The team addressed the problem as quickly as needed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as quickly as needed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify the manner in which an action should be carried out. It indicates that the action should be performed with sufficient speed to meet a particular requirement or necessity, as Ludwig points out.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as quickly as needed" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe an action that should be done promptly to meet specific requirements, balancing speed with practicality. According to Ludwig, it's versatile across different contexts, including News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias, with a neutral register. While "as quickly as possible" emphasizes maximum speed, "as quickly as needed" focuses on efficient and timely action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its application in various scenarios, and related phrases like "as rapidly as required" and "as swiftly as necessary" offer more formal alternatives. Avoiding overuse of passive voice ensures clarity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as rapidly as required

Changes "quickly" to "rapidly" and "needed" to "required" for a slightly more formal tone.

as swiftly as necessary

Replaces "quickly" with "swiftly" and "needed" with "necessary", conveying a sense of efficiency and essentiality.

as promptly as requisite

Uses "promptly" instead of "quickly" and "requisite" instead of "needed", suggesting urgency and obligation.

with due haste

Emphasizes speed while acknowledging a sense of responsibility, implying a balance between quick action and careful consideration.

expeditiously when required

Combines "expeditiously" for quick action with "when required" to specify conditionality.

at the earliest opportunity

Shifts the focus from immediate action to seizing the first available chance to act.

as fast as circumstances dictate

Replaces "needed" with a broader consideration of circumstances, indicating that speed is dependent on the situation.

without undue delay

Focuses on avoiding unnecessary slowness, rather than emphasizing speed itself.

at your earliest convenience

Implies a polite request for prompt action, prioritizing the convenience of the person acting.

with all possible speed

Emphasizes maximum speed, potentially at the expense of other considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "as quickly as needed" in a sentence?

Use "as quickly as needed" to describe an action that should be performed promptly, but not necessarily at maximum speed, focusing on meeting a specific requirement. For example: "The funds were disbursed "as quickly as needed" to provide immediate relief".

What is a more formal alternative to "as quickly as needed"?

A more formal alternative would be "as rapidly as required" or "as swiftly as necessary", which both maintain the sense of urgency while using more elevated language.

Is there a difference between "as quickly as needed" and "as quickly as possible"?

"As quickly as possible" implies doing something with maximum speed, whereas "as quickly as needed" suggests acting at a pace that satisfies the requirements of a situation, which might not always be the absolute fastest pace. It focuses on efficiency rather than sheer speed.

When should I use "as quickly as needed" versus "without delay"?

"As quickly as needed" emphasizes the appropriate speed for a task, while "without delay" focuses on avoiding any unnecessary slowness. Choose "as quickly as needed" when the speed is a key factor, and "without delay" when you want to stress the urgency of starting something.