in a swift

USAGE SUMMARY

'in a swift' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adverb that indicates an action was done quickly. For example: John finished the task in a swift.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Trump administration has ushered in a swift change in fortunes for the banking industry.

The Washington Post

But oil moving downstream in a swift river?

The New York Times

In a swift, graceful gesture, she saved it.

The New York Times

The depth of field in a Swift novel, thematically and emotionally, is vast.

The New York Times - Books

The original West End production recouped its investment in a swift seven weeks.

The New York Times

In a swift, intense scene, he shows Lily a locket with a strange woman's picture.

The New York Times - Arts

In a swift party coup, Mr. Milosevic ousted him in 1987.

The New York Times

"But you feel sexy, don't you?" his partner responds, whispering into a puppet ear in a swift staccato.

The New York Times - Arts

War was inevitable, and in a swift and successful campaign Edward defeated Balliol in 1296, forcing him to abdicate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yes, D'Souza says, in a swift shift to domestic politics, "of course" Republican politics is "about class.

Independent

Although the resolution passed, most Democrats voted against it, and then the war ended in a swift American victory.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a swift" to emphasize the speed and efficiency of an action, particularly when describing a reaction or process.

Common error

While "in a swift" is generally acceptable, overuse in very formal or academic writing might make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using more concise alternatives like "quickly" or "rapidly" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a swift" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or action by describing the manner in which it is performed, emphasizing the speed and promptness of the action. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

14%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a swift" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the speed and promptness of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples. While versatile, it's important to consider more concise alternatives like "quickly" in certain formal contexts. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, science, and general writing. By understanding its function and considering context, you can effectively incorporate "in a swift" into your writing to convey a sense of immediacy and efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quickly

This is a single-word adverb that directly replaces the entire phrase.

rapidly

This alternative, similar to 'quickly', emphasizes the high speed of the action.

expeditiously

This suggests efficiency and speed in achieving a particular outcome.

promptly

Implies immediate action, closely related to swiftness.

with speed

This alternative uses a different preposition but maintains the sense of quickness.

in a timely manner

Emphasizes the action being performed at the right moment, and with efficiency.

at once

This idiom suggests immediacy and instant action.

without delay

Directly conveys the sense of no time being wasted.

right away

This informal idiom suggests an action done immediately.

forthwith

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying immediately.

FAQs

How can I use "in a swift" in a sentence?

You can use "in a swift" to describe an action that is performed quickly and efficiently. For example, "The company responded to the crisis "in a swift" manner."

What are some alternatives to "in a swift"?

Alternatives to "in a swift" include "quickly", "rapidly", or "expeditiously". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it better to use "in a swift" or "quickly"?

Both "in a swift" and "quickly" can be used to indicate speed. "Quickly" is more concise, while "in a swift" might add slightly more emphasis or formality, depending on the writing style. However, "quickly" is generally more versatile.

What's the difference between "in a swift" and "in a timely manner"?

"In a swift" emphasizes speed, while "in a timely manner" emphasizes that something happened at the appropriate or most advantageous time. While they both indicate efficiency, the focus is different.