as swiftly as it came

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as swiftly as it came" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened quickly and unexpectedly, often referring to a situation or feeling that was transient. Example: "The joy of winning the championship faded away as swiftly as it came, leaving the team in a state of reflection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As swiftly as it came, it disappeared, leaving no trace.

The Guardian

Japan was also left to digest the jihadist group's chilling threat to kill more Japanese in an ongoing "nightmare" for the country.Ordinary people wish the threat of violence would disappear as swiftly as it came.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That ceased almost as swiftly as it began.

The Guardian

But as swiftly as it arrived, the B-scheme disappeared.

The Guardian - Film

The Internet multiplies arguments as swiftly as it multiplies pornographic images, to a similarly addictive effect.

The New York Times - Books

My only fear is that her rollercoaster ride will end as swiftly as it started.

The Guardian - Music

"This is as swiftly as it can be done," Brown said.

Los Angeles Times

"The council apologises for this error, but believe it has taken action swiftly to deal with it as soon as it came to light".

BBC

"It vanished as quickly as it came".

The New Yorker

Ward was clearly keen to finish things off as swiftly as possible and came close on the Swiss player's serve with two match points, only for a wayward backhand slice and a forehand into the tramlines to let him down.

BBC

And then, as swiftly as they first came, we take our exams, we shake our professors' hands half in gratitude and half in hopes of absorbing one last hint of positive karma, and we leave.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as swiftly as it came" to emphasize the transient nature of an event, feeling, or situation. It is particularly effective when contrasting the rapid appearance and disappearance of something unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "as swiftly as it came" excessively in formal writing, as it can sometimes sound cliché. Opt for more precise language to describe the specific speed and nature of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as swiftly as it came" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the speed and manner in which something occurred and then ceased. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as swiftly as it came" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe the rapid and transient nature of an event. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English, though it's relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it emphasizes both the sudden appearance and disappearance of something. While grammatically sound and useful for conveying a sense of fleetingness, it's best to avoid overusing it, especially in formal writing where more precise language might be preferred. Alternatives include phrases like "as quickly as it arrived" or "as suddenly as it began".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as quickly as it arrived

Replaces "swiftly" with "quickly", emphasizing speed but maintaining the same structure.

as rapidly as it appeared

Substitutes "swiftly" with "rapidly" and "came" with "appeared", highlighting the suddenness of the event.

as suddenly as it began

Replaces "swiftly" with "suddenly" and "came" with "began", focusing on the abruptness of the start and finish.

as fast as it emerged

Uses "fast" instead of "swiftly" and "emerged" instead of "came", providing a more straightforward expression of speed.

as promptly as it surfaced

Employs "promptly" and "surfaced", suggesting both speed and the initial appearance of something.

as readily as it materialised

Replaces "swiftly" with "readily" and "came" with "materialised", indicating an ease and speed in its appearance.

with the same speed it developed

Focuses on the equal speed of development and disappearance, changing the sentence structure slightly.

in the blink of an eye

An idiomatic expression meaning extremely quickly, emphasizing the suddenness more than the arrival aspect.

before you knew it

Highlights the unexpected and rapid nature of the event's disappearance.

almost instantaneously

Emphasizes the immediate and nearly imperceptible timing of both arrival and departure.

FAQs

What does "as swiftly as it came" mean?

The phrase "as swiftly as it came" describes something that appeared or occurred very quickly and then disappeared or ended just as rapidly. It emphasizes the suddenness and transience of the event.

What can I say instead of "as swiftly as it came"?

You can use alternatives like "as quickly as it arrived", "as rapidly as it appeared", or "as suddenly as it began" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "as swiftly as it came" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as swiftly as it came" may sound somewhat informal or clichéd in certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise or sophisticated language to convey the intended meaning.

How can I use "as swiftly as it came" in a sentence?

You can use "as swiftly as it came" to describe the fleeting nature of an experience. For example: "The opportunity arose, and vanished as swiftly as it came."