awfully quick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully quick" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is very fast or rapid. Example: Sarah's car was moving awfully quick down the highway, causing her passengers to grip onto their seats tightly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Awfully quick.

The New Yorker

You're awfully quick, aren't you?

The New Yorker

"That's some awfully quick police work," the gossip goes.

The New York Times - Books

"Gravity gets you down awfully quick," he said.

The New York Times

Crane, unfortunately, seems to be an awfully quick study, so the gimmick may not hold.

The New York Times - Arts

People are awfully quick to condemn these days and awfully keen on public humiliation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

("Sal" looked awfully familiar).

Huffington Post

That seems awfully fast.

Huffington Post

I agree that most of the countries in question are awfully far away, as a quick glance at an atlas will attest.

The New Yorker

For one thing, Quick's narrator seems awfully jocose for a guy who's homicidally depressed.

The New York Times - Books

Actually, he's more or less just playing Jack Nicholson, but he is awfully good at that – and the quick-witted screenplay gives him plenty of brutal O'Neillish lines to snarl.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully quick" to emphasize the unexpected or notable speed of something. For instance, "He learned the material awfully quick."

Common error

Avoid using "awfully" as a generic intensifier. While it can mean "very", it often implies a negative connotation or surprise. Using "very quick" is more neutral.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully quick" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "quick". It describes the degree of speed or rapidity of an action or event. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to emphasize the unexpected or notable speed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awfully quick" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the speed of something, often with a nuance of surprise or mild criticism. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and common usage. It appears frequently in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. While it's generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "remarkably fast" in formal settings. Avoid using "awfully" as a generic replacement for "very" to prevent miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusually swift

Suggests a departure from the norm in terms of quickness.

remarkably fast

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the speed.

exceptionally speedy

Implies a higher degree of speed than usual.

surprisingly rapid

Highlights the element of surprise due to the quickness.

incredibly prompt

Focuses on the immediacy and lack of delay.

lightning-fast

Compares the speed to that of lightning.

blindingly fast

Uses a vivid metaphor to convey extreme speed.

at breakneck speed

Implies a dangerous or reckless level of speed.

with great haste

Highlights the urgency and speed of an action.

expeditiously

Indicates efficiency and speed in completing a task.

FAQs

How can I use "awfully quick" in a sentence?

You can use "awfully quick" to describe something that happens faster than expected. For example, "The project was completed awfully quick.".

What's the difference between "awfully quick" and "very quick"?

"Awfully quick" often carries a sense of surprise or slight negativity, while "very quick" is a more neutral description of speed. Consider the nuance you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to "awfully quick"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "remarkably fast", "surprisingly rapid", or "exceptionally speedy".

Is "awfully quick" formal or informal?

"Awfully quick" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, consider using "remarkably fast" or another similar phrase.