but quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done in a fast manner or to suggest a rapid change in action or state. Example: "He finished his homework, but quickly realized he had made a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not gradually, but quickly".

The New York Times

But quickly recovers.

The New Yorker

But quickly, his mind shifts.

The New York Times - Books

It is beautiful, but quickly disappears".

The Economist

The ensemble dazzles but quickly disintegrates.

The New York Times - Arts

We did, but quickly and covertly.

The New Yorker

Selby acknowledged Calhoun but quickly excused himself.

The New York Times - Sports

We walk quietly but quickly.

The Guardian - Travel

Cook was angry, but quickly composed himself.

The New York Times - Sports

But quickly enough, the evidence became overwhelming.

The New York Times

But quickly they realized they were free.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but quickly" to show a change of state or action happens right after a contrasting situation or event. This highlights the immediacy of the second action.

Common error

Avoid using "but quickly" in very short, simple sentences where the contrast and speed are already implied. Instead, opt for a single, more descriptive verb or adverb that encapsulates both ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but quickly" functions primarily as an adverbial connector. It serves to link two contrasting ideas or actions, emphasizing that the second action occurs rapidly or immediately after the first. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its role in creating a sense of immediacy within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but quickly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to connect contrasting ideas with a sense of immediacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While alternatives like "but swiftly" or "but promptly" exist, "but quickly" offers a direct and clear way to convey rapid transitions. Remember to avoid overuse in overly simple sentences to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but swiftly

Replaces "quickly" with a synonym emphasizing speed and efficiency.

but promptly

Replaces "quickly" with a synonym emphasizing immediacy and lack of delay.

but rapidly

Replaces "quickly" with a synonym emphasizing a high rate of change or movement.

but immediately

Replaces "quickly" with a synonym emphasizing instantaneous action.

but straightaway

Replaces "quickly" with an adverb emphasizing the absence of hesitation or delay.

yet fast

Replaces "but" with "yet" and "quickly" with "fast" to show a contrast and speed.

however, soon after

Rephrases to emphasize the contrast and the short time frame that follows.

though without delay

Highlights the contrast and the promptness of the subsequent action.

nonetheless, briskly

Combines a stronger contrast connector with an adverb indicating energetic speed.

even so, in short order

Uses an alternative contrast marker with a phrase emphasizing efficiency and speed of completion.

FAQs

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

The phrase "but quickly" connects two contrasting ideas where the second action happens rapidly after the first. For example, "He hesitated, "but quickly" made a decision" shows a swift change following initial hesitation.

What are some alternatives to "but quickly"?

You can use alternatives such as "but swiftly", "but promptly", or "but immediately" to convey a similar meaning, emphasizing a rapid transition or action.

Is there a difference between "but quickly" and "but soon"?

"But quickly" emphasizes the immediate nature of the subsequent action, while "but soon" suggests that the action occurred after a relatively short, but not necessarily immediate, period.

When is it better to use "but quickly" instead of "however, quickly"?

Use "but quickly" when you want a more concise and direct connection between two contrasting points. "However, quickly" can sound more formal and may slightly disrupt the flow, whereas ""but quickly"" keeps the pace more immediate.