immediately

USAGE SUMMARY

The word immediately is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when an action needs to be done quickly or urgently. For example, "Please complete the task immediately!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Sport

Travel

Film

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"East Coast is particularly sorry, too, for the inconvenience to its customers as a result on what we know is an already very busy travel day immediately following the Christmas break.

The Guardian - Business

"We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath.

The Guardian

But not immediately.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The New York Times

When it was reported in November 2012 that Carr was keeping a diary of his time as foreign minister with the intent of publishing it – based on the accounts of numerous sources – Carr immediately issued a statement denying he was writing a book.

The Guardian

Shortly before the meeting the council issued a statement expressing "grave concern at the continued fighting in and around Debaltseve" and demanded that all parties to the conflict cease hostilities immediately.

The Guardian

It stopped, and was immediately followed by a voice remarking her own thoughts.

The Economist

We hit it off immediately.

The New York Times - Magazine

Stop whisking, then immediately and carefully pour the egg into the centre of the whirlpool.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Whoever fired at her hadn't been able to track her down with dogs and dispose of the tag because the shot had not immediately been fatal: Betty had flapped on for several miles before collapsing on the ground.

The Guardian

Because the money is a one-off and must be spent immediately, councils will use it largely to buy in extra services such as care agency support for people in their own homes and short-term places in residential homes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediately" to convey a sense of urgency and prompt action. Ensure the context supports this sense of immediacy for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "immediately" in very casual conversations where a simpler word like "now" or "right away" might sound more natural.

How to use

Learn how to use "immediately" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "immediately" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action or event occurs without delay. Ludwig AI confirms the word is correct and widely used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sport

3%

Travel

2%

Film

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Immediately" functions as an adverb indicating that something happens without delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various writing styles. Its frequent use in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts underscores its versatility. To ensure appropriate usage, remember that while generally neutral, "immediately" can sometimes feel out of place in very informal settings. Alternatives such as "instantly" or "right away" might be more fitting depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Instantly

Emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the action, suggesting virtually no delay.

Instantly

Emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the action, suggesting virtually no delay.

Right away

Indicates prompt action, commonly used in informal settings.

At once

Suggests that something happens without any delay, often carrying a sense of urgency.

Without delay

A more formal way of expressing immediacy, suitable for professional contexts.

Promptly

Highlights efficiency and quickness in response to a request or situation.

Directly

Indicates that an action follows another in a straight line without deviation or delay.

Forthwith

An archaic term suggesting immediate action, less common in modern usage.

Expeditiously

Indicates that an action happens in a quick and effective way.

Posthaste

An old-fashioned term indicating great speed and urgency.

FAQs

How to use "immediately" in a sentence?

"Immediately" is used to indicate that something happens without any delay. For example, "Please respond "immediately" to this email" or "The ambulance arrived "immediately" after the call".

What can I say instead of "immediately"?

You can use alternatives like "instantly", "right away", or "at once" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "immediately" or "immediatly"?

"Immediately" is the correct spelling. "Immediatly" is a misspelling and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "immediately" and "soon"?

"Immediately" implies no delay at all, while "soon" suggests that something will happen in the near future but not necessarily instantly.