it was quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that occurred in a fast manner, typically followed by a verb in the past participle form. Example: "It was quickly decided that the meeting would be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was quickly fixed: "its," not "it's".

The New York Times

We should all be grateful that it was quickly put out of its misery.

The Guardian

It was quickly withdrawn.

The Economist

It was quickly deleted.

The New York Times

It was quickly contained.

Independent

It was quickly granted.

The New York Times

It was quickly settled.

The New York Times

It was quickly waist level.

The New York Times

It was quickly extinguished.

The New York Times

It was quickly changed".

The New York Times

It was quickly reciprocated.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was quickly" to emphasize the speed and efficiency of an action or process. This is especially effective in describing immediate responses or changes.

Common error

A common error is confusing "its" (possessive) with "it's" (contraction of "it is"). Ensure you're using "its" when indicating that something belongs to "it", not when shortening "it is". For example, write "It was quickly apparent that the dog had lost its bone", not "It was quickly apparent that the dog had lost it's bone".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was quickly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically indicating the speed at which an action occurred. According to Ludwig, this is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was quickly" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to emphasize the speed of an action or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various sources, confirming its common usage. While suitable for most contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "it was expeditiously" for academic writing. Pay attention to the correct use of "its" versus "it's" to avoid common errors. According to Ludwig, this phrase is well-supported and broadly applicable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was promptly

Replaces "quickly" with "promptly", suggesting immediate action.

it was swiftly

Replaces "quickly" with "swiftly", indicating rapid movement or action.

it was rapidly

Replaces "quickly" with "rapidly", stressing the fast pace of an event.

it was speedily

Replaces "quickly" with "speedily", highlighting the fast execution.

it was immediately

Emphasizes that the action occurred without delay.

it was readily

Implies ease and willingness in addition to speed.

it was expeditiously

Replaces "quickly" with a more formal term, indicating efficiency.

it was fast

Offers a simpler, more direct alternative focusing on speed.

it happened soon

Shifts the focus to the timing of the event.

it was without delay

Stresses the absence of any waiting period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was quickly" to emphasize the ease of the action?

To highlight the ease with which something was done, you could use alternatives like "it was easily" or "it was readily". These phrases emphasize the lack of difficulty in addition to the speed.

What's the difference between "it was quickly" and "it was immediately"?

"It was quickly" emphasizes the speed of the action, while "it was immediately" stresses the lack of any delay. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the pace or the immediacy.

When is it appropriate to use "it was swiftly" instead of "it was quickly"?

While "it was quickly" is suitable for most contexts, "it was swiftly" may be preferred when describing a graceful or decisive action, adding a sense of elegance or efficiency.

Is "it was quickly" too informal for academic writing?

While "it was quickly" is generally acceptable, for a more formal tone in academic writing, consider using alternatives like "it was expeditiously" or structuring the sentence to use a more formal verb and adverb combination.