immediacy

USAGE SUMMARY

"immediacy" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an abstract noun referring to the state or quality of being immediate. The word can be used to describe something that is done without delay, or that has an immediate effect. Example: The immediacy of the response was impressive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The end of European colonialism in the Muslim world in no way diminished the immediacy of that challenge nor the venality, brutality and incompetence of local regimes.

The Guardian

It's an excellent wee theatre, Milton Keynes, and not just because the authorities there are civilised enough to allow you to imbibe; a 1400-seater auditorium with a pit big enough to take a large orchestra (Welsh National Opera have toured Wozzeck here in the past), but with a Glyndebourne-esque sense of intimacy and immediacy.

The Guardian - Music

There is a satisfying immediacy in the saving of lives, the patching up of the bumped and bruised, even in the abusive, drunken chaos of a Saturday night waiting room.

The Guardian

In Italy, Spero, who has died aged 83 of respiratory complications, discovered the vigour and immediacy of ancient Etruscan art; in Paris, where she and Golub settled in 1959, she discovered the troubled art and writings of the manic-depressive artist and inventor of the so-called theatre of cruelty, Antonin Artaud.

The Guardian - Arts

But for all those who've labelled his work as 'the art of immediacy, of brilliance, of mirth and joy', and, in particular, for all those cultural pimps of fashionable chit-chat who've spent thousands of dollars on his 'paintings', Warhol left me with these words: 'My work won't last anyway.

The Guardian

He goes completely stripped-back, using a loop pedal and acoustic guitar, and it's his bread and butter – for all the Pharrell productions, it's this immediacy that has paradoxically won him three sold out nights at Wembley Stadium.

The Guardian - Music

Radar seeks to remain radical and urgent, as exemplified by the exhibition Street | Spirit, which features Polish painter Nisja's strangely calm cityscapes contrasting with the immediacy and frenzy of Marcel Ozymantra's large canvases.

The Guardian - Travel

Can we all please stop having "issues around" misusing prepositions in the belief that it also lends immediacy, vitality etc?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Caesar is now faced", "England in the 17th century is a far different place" etc, presumably under the impression that it lends immediacy, accessibility and vitality rather than just being really, really annoying and tense-making.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pantucci said the social media component of the conflict was relevant mainly because of its immediacy.

The Guardian

"Diaries have an immediacy, a messiness and a point of view that makes them valuable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediacy" to convey a sense of urgency or direct connection, particularly when describing experiences, responses, or effects. For example, "The immediacy of the news report shocked the nation."

Common error

Avoid using "immediacy" when you actually mean "importance" or "relevance". "Immediacy" refers to the quality of happening without delay, not the significance of something.

Linguistic Context

The word "immediacy" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the quality or state of being immediate. According to Ludwig, it's an abstract noun. Examples show it describing the characteristic of things happening without delay or intervention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "immediacy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun to describe the quality of being immediate. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its function in describing things that happen without delay. It's crucial to distinguish "immediacy" from "importance", focusing on the temporal aspect rather than the significance. Best practices include using "immediacy" to convey urgency or directness, and avoiding its misuse when "importance" is the intended meaning. Found across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, "immediacy" is a versatile term for emphasizing the lack of delay or directness in actions, events, or experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instantaneousness

Focuses on the characteristic of happening instantly, with no delay in time.

promptness

Emphasizes the quality of being quick and without delay in responding or acting.

instantaneity

Highlights the characteristic of occurring at once.

alacrity

Suggests a cheerful readiness and eagerness.

expeditiousness

Focuses on the quality of being efficient and quick in action.

rapidity

Emphasizes the swiftness or speed of occurrence.

swiftness

Highlights the quickness and speed of an action or event.

celerity

Implies a great speed and promptness.

absence of delay

Directly states the lack of any waiting period.

lack of hesitation

Underscores the quality of acting without any pause or doubt.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "immediacy" in a sentence?

Use "immediacy" to highlight the characteristic of something happening without delay or intervention. For example, "The "immediacy of the response" impressed everyone."

What are some alternatives to the word "immediacy"?

You can use alternatives such as "instantaneousness", "promptness", or "rapidity" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "immediacy" to describe something that is simply very important?

No, "immediacy" refers to the quality of happening without delay. For describing importance, use words like "importance", "significance", or "relevance".

In what contexts is "immediacy" most appropriately used?

"Immediacy" is best used in contexts where the speed or lack of delay is a key factor. This can include describing responses, actions, or the impact of events. For example, the "immediacy of social media" allows news to spread quickly.