but swiftly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but swiftly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done quickly or with speed, often in contrast to a previous action or state. Example: "He completed the task slowly at first, but swiftly moved on to the next challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It'll be fun for a little while but swiftly forgotten".

The New York Times - Sports

WHEN partisan political realignments take place, they tend to come not subtly but swiftly.

The Economist

He had first welcomed the Iranian revolution of 1979, but swiftly rejected its reactionary turn.

The Guardian

The violence in Leonard's action is not dwelt on, but swiftly rendered and passed over.

The Guardian - Books

– but swiftly reminds you of The Life Of Pi, with better jokes.

The Guardian - Books

It initially gave up some of the ground it made over the summer but swiftly recovered (see left-hand chart).

The Economist

The chimp casually but swiftly pressed the squares, calling back the numbers in ascending order — 1, 2, 3, etc.

The New York Times - Science

It began by placing stones on the Go board at random but swiftly improved as it discovered winning strategies.

The Guardian

A floor manager came over, smiled at me and gently, but swiftly, ushered me out the door.

The New York Times

The Turkish government consented not to build the planned shopping mall, but swiftly proceeded to crush most dissent.

The Guardian

The prosecutor's office launched its own investigation but swiftly wrapped it up, stating that no laws were violated.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but swiftly" to create a sense of contrast and immediacy in your writing. This phrase works well when you want to emphasize a rapid change following an initial action or state.

Common error

While "but swiftly" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "however, rapidly" or "nevertheless, quickly" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but swiftly" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas while emphasizing the speed of the second action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but swiftly" is a grammatically sound and versatile conjunction phrase used to denote a rapid transition or action following a contrasting event. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. It's very common in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. While generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives in academic settings. The examples on Ludwig showcase its use in various scenarios, emphasizing its role in highlighting immediacy and change. Some of the suggested alternatives are "but quickly", "yet promptly", and "however speedily".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but rapidly

Emphasizes speed and quickness as an alternative.

but quickly

A more common synonym emphasizing immediacy.

yet promptly

Highlights immediacy with a slightly more formal tone.

however speedily

More formal alternative, focusing on the speed of the action.

although hastily

Implies a rushed or perhaps careless action following an event.

even so, promptly

Emphasizes that despite something, the action was still prompt.

nonetheless, briskly

Highlights a quick and energetic action despite a previous situation.

still, without delay

Emphasizes the lack of hesitation or waiting.

instead, at once

Focuses on the immediate replacement of one action with another.

conversely, in short order

Indicates an opposing action completed quickly.

FAQs

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

Use "but swiftly" to indicate a quick transition or action after a contrasting event. For example, "The market initially declined, "but swiftly" recovered".

What are some alternatives to "but swiftly"?

You can use alternatives such as "but quickly", "yet promptly", or "however speedily" depending on the desired tone and context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "but swiftly"?

While grammatically correct, "but swiftly" may sound slightly less formal. In highly formal or academic writing, consider using alternatives that convey a more precise or nuanced meaning.

What's the difference between "but swiftly" and "but quickly"?

"But swiftly" and "but quickly" are largely interchangeable. "Swiftly" can sometimes imply a greater sense of efficiency or precision than "quickly", but the difference is often subtle.