hastily

USAGE SUMMARY

"hastily" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an action that was done quickly or with urgency. Example sentence: He hastily packed his belongings and left the house.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their emotion was visible on their faces when they walked on stage after Romney finished his remarks, which Romney had hastily composed, knowing he had to say something.

The Guardian

The long process of overcoming mutual suspicions can be traced through the exchange of position papers, secret talks and hastily relocated summits throughout 1984.

The Guardian

But the monuments that line Washington's National Mall were bustling with tourists, as maintenance workers hastily tended to the overgrown grass - six-inches long in places.

The Guardian

The "Donetsk People's Republic" was proclaimed on Monday, after a hastily arranged referendum resulted in nearly 90% of votes in favour of state sovereignty.

The Guardian

A few weeks later a motley group of radical rightwing European populists turned up in Crimea to watch its hastily arranged "referendum".

The Guardian - Opinion

Atoms for Peace did at least manage to play an Austin show last night, hastily assembling a gig on a first-come, first-served basis at the city's Moody theatre.

The Guardian - Music

The much-more-likely scenario is an activist, holed up in a south Wales fitting room, hastily darning her protests.

The Guardian - Opinion

The speech was hastily rewritten in the Brighton conference centre in the early morning, meaning that Thatcher's most famous remark on the miners' strike – "the enemy within" – would be one that she never actually uttered in public.

The Guardian

The commission, however, was hastily wound up in 1948 and quickly forgotten – thanks to the US, which believed the trials were impeding Germany's rehabilitation.

The Guardian

If rideable, with wind not lashing against us, we clamber hastily into our wetsuits and lift foam surfboards to the beach, practicing our statue-like pop ups on the sand, before paddling out to the real thing.

The Guardian - Travel

It remained a remarkably radical scheme, but the public's enthusiasm for the sanitary cause, and the threat of cholera, persuaded the Whig government of the day to hastily accept what the previous administration had so emphatically rejected.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hastily" when you want to emphasize that an action was performed quickly, possibly with a lack of care or thought. It's useful for conveying a sense of urgency or impulsiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "hastily" excessively in formal or academic writing, where a more neutral term like "quickly" or "expeditiously" may be more appropriate. "Hastily" often carries a connotation of carelessness that might not be intended.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "hastily" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies speed, often coupled with a lack of care or deliberation. This aligns with the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Opinion

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hastily" is a versatile adverb used to describe actions performed quickly, often with an implication of carelessness or urgency. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and widely used. While very common in news, opinion, and travel writing, it should be used judiciously in more formal or scientific contexts. Related terms like "quickly", "hurriedly", and "precipitately" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slight variations in meaning. When writing, be mindful of the potential negative connotation of "hastily" and choose a more neutral term if appropriate. By considering these nuances, you can use "hastily" effectively to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurriedly

Similar to "hastily", but emphasizes the feeling of being rushed or under pressure.

quickly

Focuses on speed of action, lacking the implication of carelessness or urgency that "hastily" might suggest.

in a rush

Describes the state of being hurried, often implying a lack of control.

precipitately

Suggests a sudden and often unwise haste, emphasizing impulsiveness.

expeditiously

Implies efficiency and speed, often in a formal or business context.

promptly

Highlights timeliness and readiness, rather than speed or lack of forethought.

without delay

Emphasizes the absence of hesitation or postponement, focusing on immediate action.

carelessly

Highlights the lack of attention and precision, which may result from acting too quickly.

recklessly

Implies a disregard for potential consequences due to acting too fast or without thinking.

on the spur of the moment

Indicates a decision or action taken without prior planning or consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "hastily" in a sentence?

You can use "hastily" to describe an action done quickly and possibly carelessly. For example, "He "hastily signed the document" without reading it."

What's a good synonym for "hastily"?

Good synonyms for "hastily" include "quickly", "hurriedly", or "precipitately", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hastily" in formal writing?

While "hastily" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound informal or carry a negative connotation of carelessness. Consider using a more neutral term like "expeditiously" in formal contexts.

What is the difference between "hastily" and "quickly"?

"Quickly" simply means fast, while "hastily" implies speed combined with a lack of attention or care. Saying someone "quickly ate their lunch" just means they ate fast, but saying they "hastily ate their lunch" suggests they were rushed and didn't pay attention to their meal.