immediate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "immediate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that demands or requires prompt action. For example: We need an immediate response to this urgent situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The New York Times

The US state department later described a "specific and immediate threat".

The Guardian

Ministers promise to provide for "appropriate oversight arrangements and safeguards", but there is no immediate detail on how the complex web of intelligence and surveillance commissioners and parliamentary oversight might be strengthened.

The Guardian

Results were immediate.

The New York Times

This has the effect of making the figurative drawing more abstract, paradoxically, neutralising the shock effect of the splayed limbs, the proffered genitalia, the immediate sexual context of artist and model.

The Guardian - Arts

It partners with Kenyan businesses, with employees then able to use M-Pepea to get immediate loans of up to 20% of their monthly salary.

The Guardian

Deep Water Drilling – We support immediate resumption of deep water drilling and production in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Guardian

Mohara Gill, Head of Art at Foyles, said: "Photojournalism can often be a more effective and immediate medium for communicating a point of view or observation than the written word.

The Guardian

The home secretary last hinted at her wish to see the introduction of pre-broadcast banning powers in the immediate aftermath of the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich two years ago, when Conservative MPs expressed strong criticism of a BBC Newsnight interview with the radical Islamist activist Anjem Choudary.

The Guardian

Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, said: "Whoever forms the next government must learn from this report and take immediate action to grow the nursing workforce and ensure it can keep up with demand with a sustainable and long-term plan.

The Guardian

A diplomatic response but one which reflects his mindset; for all Liverani's history, immediate ambitions at Brisbane Road are clearly dominating his thoughts.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediate" to convey a sense of urgency or importance when describing actions, responses, or needs.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "immediate" in academic or formal writing. Consider synonyms like "prompt", "instantaneous", or "expeditious" for a more nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "immediate" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something occurring without delay or being directly related. Ludwig provides many examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "immediate" is a versatile term used to denote actions or events that occur without delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English writing. Examples culled from various sources show it's particularly prevalent in news and media, business, and scientific contexts. While "immediate" is broadly applicable, carefully consider synonyms like "instant", "prompt", or "urgent" for nuance. Remember that context is key when selecting the most impactful term. For example, "immediate danger" requires "immediate action".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instant

Focuses on the instantaneous nature of the action or event.

prompt

Emphasizes the quickness and readiness of a response or action.

instantaneous

Highlights the action occurring without any delay whatsoever.

direct

Indicates a lack of intermediaries or intervening steps.

instant reply

Implies a response given quickly after receiving a request or question.

without delay

Emphasizes the absence of any waiting period before something happens.

forthwith

Indicates that something should be done or happen at once or immediately.

straightaway

Highlights the action occurring without delay.

close

Highlights proximity in a physical or relational sense.

urgent

Emphasizes the critical and time-sensitive nature of a situation.

FAQs

How to use "immediate" in a sentence?

You can use "immediate" to describe something that happens without delay, such as, "We need an "immediate response" to this problem".

What can I say instead of "immediate"?

Alternatives include "instant", "prompt", or "urgent", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "immediate effect" or "immediately effect"?

"Immediate effect" is correct. "Immediately" is an adverb and would not typically modify the noun "effect" directly. You might use "immediately" to modify a verb, such as "The changes were implemented "immediately"".

What's the difference between "immediate" and "imminent"?

"Immediate" refers to something happening right away, while "imminent" describes something that is about to happen or is threatening to occur soon. For example, "immediate action" is needed to address an "imminent danger".