it was rapidly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was rapidly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that occurred quickly or with speed in the past. Example: "The project was initially slow, but it was rapidly gaining momentum as the deadline approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Introducing the Pentagon's 2016 report on China's military activities, Denmark said Beijing's estimated military budget now stood at $180bn£125bnbn) and it was rapidly expanding its capabilities in all areas.

The Guardian

It was rapidly losing market share in France, its biggest market, to Leclerc.

The Economist

Shortly afterward, G.M. revealed that it was rapidly running out of cash to fund its operations and needed federal loans to survive.

The New York Times

Our results suggest that the tested hydrogel does not behave as a classical sustained-drug release system, as it was rapidly eluted in the serum, quickly releasing its content, ie, within the first 2 to 4 hours.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

In fact, it was rapidly falling apart.

The New Yorker

If so, it was rapidly extinguished.

Independent

When Ebola spread to rich countries, it was rapidly contained.

The Guardian

It was rapidly turning into a rout as Hull's defensive efforts descended into farce.

The Guardian - Sport

It was rapidly adopted, with British Telecom offering a data service called Packet SwitchStream (PSS).

The Guardian

There was simply too much to carry unassisted, and it was rapidly thawing, so speed was of the essence.

The Guardian

Legend Airlines, a four-year-old company that said it was rapidly losing money, suspended operations today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "it was rapidly" with strong verbs to enhance the impact of your writing. For example, "it was rapidly expanding" is more descriptive than "it was expanding quickly".

Common error

Avoid using "it was rapidly" with stative verbs (verbs that describe a state rather than an action), such as "knew" or "believed". Stative verbs don't typically express rapid change; use dynamic verbs instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was rapidly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the speed at which an action occurred or a state changed. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction is frequently used across various contexts to emphasize swiftness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was rapidly" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase to describe the speed of an action or change. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and prevalent across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While it is suitable for most registers, considering synonyms like "quickly" or "swiftly" can add nuance. Pay attention to using it with dynamic, rather than stative, verbs to avoid common errors. Remember that, even if it is commonly used, "it was rapidly" can be replaced by several suitable and close alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was swiftly

Synonym replacement; "swiftly" replaces "rapidly" maintaining a similar meaning.

it quickly became

Replaces "rapidly" with "quickly" and alters the sentence structure to emphasize the resulting state.

it was promptly

Synonym replacement; "promptly" replaces "rapidly" to imply immediate action.

it underwent rapid

Transforms the phrase to emphasize a fast process or change.

it immediately turned

Implies an instantaneous change or reaction.

it experienced a surge

Highlights a sudden increase or intensification.

it accelerated dramatically

Emphasizes the increase in speed or intensity.

it became exceedingly

Replaces "rapidly" with "exceedingly" to enhance the degree of change.

it evolved intensely

Highlights a transformation happening at a high rate.

it gained momentum

Focuses on the acceleration or buildup of something.

FAQs

How can I use "it was rapidly" in a sentence?

You can use "it was rapidly" to describe a situation that changed or progressed very quickly. For instance, "The company's profits were declining, but it was rapidly recovering after the new management took over."

What are some alternatives to "it was rapidly"?

You can use alternatives like "it quickly became", "it was swiftly", or "it was promptly" depending on the context.

Is "it was rapidly" formal or informal?

"It was rapidly" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase. However, consider the overall tone of your writing and choose a synonym if a more specific nuance is needed.

What is the difference between "it was rapidly" and "it was quickly"?

While both "it was rapidly" and "it was quickly" indicate speed, "rapidly" often suggests a more significant or impactful change compared to "quickly". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.