he was very quick

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he was very quick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the speed of someone's actions or reactions. For example: "He was very quick to react when she stepped on the snake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"He was very quick.

The New York Times

"He was very quick, mobile, agile.

The Guardian - Sport

Then I met Billy Bob, and he was very quick, very smart, very funny.

The New York Times

He was very quick and sharp-minded and witty, but very kind.

The Guardian - Books

He was very quick to defend people close to him if he thought they had been hurt.

The Guardian

"He was very quick in understanding what was going on," said Horst Meyer, his thesis adviser at Duke. "He was a very persistent and hard worker.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"He's very quick; he's very fast," Coughlin said.

The New York Times - Sports

He's very quick and agile".

The New York Times - Sports

He's very quick and a great finisher.

Independent

He's very quick with the one-liners.

The New Yorker

"He is very quick and is a good athlete.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's ability to understand things quickly, consider adding context about what they understood. For example: "He was very quick to grasp the complexities of the new software."

Common error

Avoid using "he was very quick" without specifying what he was quick at. This can make the sentence vague and less impactful. Instead of saying, "He was very quick", try "He was very quick to adapt to the changing circumstances."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was very quick" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of speed or rapidity to a male subject. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was very quick" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe someone's speed or promptness. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news, sports reporting, and general discussions. When using this phrase, be sure to provide context about what the subject was quick at, avoiding vague statements. Consider alternative phrases such as "he acted swiftly" or "he responded promptly" for varied expression. While versatile, be mindful of the context and opt for more formal language in academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he acted swiftly

Emphasizes the speed of action taken.

he responded promptly

Highlights the immediacy of the response.

he grasped it rapidly

Focuses on quick understanding.

he was fast on his feet

Implies physical agility and speed.

he was lightning-fast

Uses a metaphor to emphasize extreme speed.

he reacted instantaneously

Stresses the immediate nature of the reaction.

he was remarkably agile

Emphasizes nimbleness and speed of movement.

he was expeditious

Highlights efficiency and speed in completing tasks.

he was prompt to act

Focuses on readiness and speed in taking action.

he was astute and swift

Combines intelligence with speed of action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he was very quick" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "he acted expeditiously", "he demonstrated remarkable agility", or "he responded with alacrity".

What does it mean when someone says "he was very quick"?

It generally means the person acted, reacted, or understood something rapidly or promptly. The specific meaning depends on the context, referring to speed in physical action, mental comprehension, or response time.

Which is more accurate, "he was quick" or "he was very quick"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "he was very quick" emphasizes the degree of speed or promptness more strongly than simply saying "he was quick".

How to use "he was very quick" in a sentence about learning?

You might say, "He was very quick to pick up new concepts in physics, demonstrating a natural aptitude for the subject."