he is quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is quickly" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly because "quickly" is an adverb and should modify a verb, not a subject. Example: "He is quickly finishing his homework."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is quickly learning the value of separating himself from the pack.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite dark glasses -- or possibly because of them -- he is quickly recognized and accosted for autographs.

The New York Times

Angel's illicit relationship with him is uncovered, to Ale's dismay, and he is quickly arrested.

The Guardian - Film

He is quickly labelled a "scarlet deceiver," trapped under a bridge, and turned into a henhouse.

The New Yorker

Rushing to her rescue, he is quickly lured to run wild by her cocaine and her promise of sex.

The New York Times

But he is quickly revealed to be an equal-opportunity pig, betraying his white wife and brutalizing his black mistress.

The New York Times

But for McClean, he is quickly developing a reputation for one of the dirtiest tacklers in the Premier League.

Independent

Using his meat ray, he is quickly turning the city's buildings into giant slabs of beef and pork.

The New York Times

It was the most he has scored since 2004, and he is quickly adding a new dimension to the Knicks.

The New York Times - Sports

There is little point in diplomatic brinkmanship with Karzai, he is quickly becoming irrelevant to the process.

The Guardian

A refugee from Syria, searching for the sister who is his only surviving relative, he is quickly absorbed into the bureaucracy of exile.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure grammatical accuracy, revise sentences using "he is quickly" to include a verb that 'quickly' can modify. For instance, change "he is quickly becoming" to "he is quickly becoming known" or "he is rapidly becoming".

Common error

Avoid using "quickly" to describe the subject 'he'. Instead, use it to describe the verb. Incorrect: "He is quickly." Correct: "He is adapting quickly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though common, is grammatically questionable. "He is quickly" appears primarily as an introductory element before a verb phrase, attempting to describe the speed of the subject's action or state of being. However, Ludwig AI indicates that adverbs like 'quickly' should modify a verb, not the subject directly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

14%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is quickly" is frequently encountered, yet it's grammatically problematic. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the adverb 'quickly' needs a verb to modify, not the subject 'he'. While widely used in news and informal contexts, as evidenced by the many examples Ludwig provides, it's better to opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "he is quickly adapting", "he is rapidly", or "he is swiftly". This ensures clarity and precision, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is rapidly

Replaces 'quickly' with 'rapidly', maintaining the sense of speed but with a slightly more formal tone.

he is swiftly

Uses 'swiftly' as a synonym for 'quickly', providing a more elegant and perhaps slightly less common alternative.

he is promptly

Substitutes 'quickly' with 'promptly', emphasizing immediacy and lack of delay in his actions.

he is fast

Offers a simpler alternative, using 'fast' to convey speed or quickness in his actions or progress.

he is expeditiously

Replaces 'quickly' with 'expeditiously', adding a sense of efficiency and effectiveness to his actions.

he is efficiently

Focuses on the effectiveness and lack of wasted effort in his actions, replacing 'quickly' with 'efficiently'.

he is developing rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of his development or progress, using 'developing rapidly' to replace 'is quickly'.

he is progressing quickly

Highlights the speed of his progression or advancement, replacing 'is quickly' with 'progressing quickly'.

he is advancing rapidly

Stresses the speed of his advancement or forward movement, using 'advancing rapidly' instead of 'is quickly'.

he is becoming fast

Focuses on his transformation into someone who is fast, either in action or ability.

FAQs

Why is "he is quickly" considered grammatically incorrect?

The word "quickly" is an adverb and should modify a verb, not a subject. The phrase "he is quickly" doesn't follow this rule. To correct it, use a phrase where "quickly" modifies a verb, such as "He is adapting quickly" or use a synonym like "he is rapidly".

What are some alternatives to "he is quickly"?

Alternatives include using adjectives like "fast" or adverbs like "rapidly" or "swiftly" modifying a verb. Examples: "He is a fast learner" or "He is adapting "quickly"/ "rapidly"".

Is it ever correct to use "he is quickly"?

No, "he is quickly" is not grammatically correct on its own. "Quickly" needs to modify a verb. You might hear or see it in informal speech, but it's best to avoid it in formal writing.

What's the difference between "he is quickly learning" and "he is a quick learner"?

"He is quickly learning" uses "quickly" to modify the verb "learning", describing how fast he's acquiring knowledge. "He is a quick learner" uses the adjective "quick" to describe the noun "learner", indicating his general aptitude for learning.