but promptly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but promptly" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to contrast or add emphasis to the timing of an action or event. Example: The team was struggling, but promptly turned their game around in the second half. In this sentence, "but promptly" is used to show that despite the initial challenges, the team was able to quickly and efficiently change their performance in the second half.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The bus showed up on time, but promptly broke down.

The New York Times

A defeated Turkey had been forced to accept this, but promptly made fulfilment impossible.

The Economist

Mr. Paes denied any wrongdoing but promptly canceled the land purchase.

The New York Times

He recently married a sophisticated New York heiress, but promptly relocated her to Bolton.

The Guardian - Sport

A group of investors bought it, but promptly started fighting among themselves.

The New York Times

Britain expressed grave concern over the use of chemical weapons but promptly doubled the export credit facility available to Iraq.

Independent

Rivers was devastated, but promptly threw herself back into work, stitching the tragedy into the fabric of her routine.

Independent

She did what she was told, she said, but promptly confided in a retired officer she knew.

The Guardian

I've seen glimpses of it on TV, even wangled a ticket years ago, but promptly decamped in confusion.

The Guardian

Blacklegged ticks, also called deer ticks, are uninfected when they hatch but promptly seek a blood meal.

The New York Times - Science

Eventually he was allowed on to the bench, but promptly failed a test for the anabolic steroid nandrolone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but promptly" to create a sense of contrast where the timing of the second action is significant. This adds emphasis and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but promptly" when the second action doesn't directly contrast or relate to the first. Ensure a clear cause-and-effect or contrasting relationship exists for effective use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but promptly" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast while also emphasizing the immediacy of the action in the second clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but promptly" is a conjunctive phrase used to connect contrasting ideas while highlighting the immediate nature of the second action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, marking it as grammatically sound and frequently employed. The phrase finds its home primarily in news and media, with supporting usage in scientific and encyclopedic content. When writing, use "but promptly" to emphasize the immediacy of a contrasting action, and be mindful that there is a relationship between the two clauses. Consider alternatives like "but quickly" or "but immediately" to fine-tune the nuance, and ensure your register aligns with the context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but quickly

Replaces "promptly" with a synonym emphasizing speed, slightly less formal.

but immediately

Emphasizes the lack of delay between the two actions.

but without delay

Emphasizes the absence of any waiting period.

but at once

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to indicate immediacy.

but directly

Similar to "immediately" but can sometimes imply a more linear sequence.

but right away

An informal alternative, emphasizing the immediate nature of the action.

but straightaway

A British English alternative for "immediately".

but then and there

Indicates an immediate action taken at the specific time and place.

but instantaneously

Highlights the near-instantaneous nature of the subsequent action.

but forthwith

A very formal and somewhat old-fashioned way to say "immediately".

FAQs

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

Use "but promptly" to connect two contrasting actions, where the second action occurs immediately after the first. For example, "The offer was tempting, "but promptly" rejected."/

What are some alternatives to "but promptly"?

Alternatives include "but quickly", "but immediately", or "but without delay", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "but promptly" formal or informal?

"But promptly" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for most writing contexts, but alternatives like "but right away" might be more appropriate for informal settings.

What's the difference between "but promptly" and "but soon"?

"But promptly" emphasizes the immediacy of the second action, whereas "but soon" simply indicates that it happened within a relatively short time frame. "Promptly" conveys a greater sense of directness and lack of delay.