it went fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it went fast" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something moved or passed quickly. For example, "The train went by so fast that I couldn't even read its name."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The rest of it went fast.

The New York Times - Sports

"In three months, the deal was done — it went fast".

TechCrunch

I can still see it; it went fast and then suddenly it curved in to the catcher's mitt.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Greenstein added: "It had a smaller motor, but it went faster and got better mileage.

The New York Times

It goes fast.

The New York Times - Food

I did not make it go fast.

The New Yorker

We told you it goes fast.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a special time, and it goes fast.

The Washington Post

"I think everybody feels, 'Where did it go?' because it goes fast," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

They were to implement the same program at GM, calling it "Go Fast" there.

Forbes

"When it goes fast I like it," Erika said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or time periods, use "it went fast" to emphasize the quick passage, creating a sense of brevity or surprise. This phrase is most effective in informal or narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it went fast" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "time elapsed quickly" or "the process accelerated rapidly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it went fast" functions as a concise statement indicating the rapid passage of time or the quick progression of an event. Ludwig AI confirms this expression is correct and usable. It often serves as a subjective assessment of speed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it went fast" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression primarily used to indicate the rapid passage of time or the quick progression of events. Although identified as correct by Ludwig AI, its informal register makes it more appropriate for casual conversations and personal narratives than formal or professional writing. When a more sophisticated tone is needed, alternatives such as "time elapsed quickly" or "the process accelerated rapidly" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it passed quickly

Replaces "went fast" with "passed quickly", emphasizing the swift passage of something.

it happened rapidly

Substitutes "went fast" with "happened rapidly", focusing on the speed of an event's occurrence.

it elapsed swiftly

Uses "elapsed swiftly" instead of "went fast", giving a more formal tone to the expression of time passing.

it moved with haste

Replaces "went fast" with "moved with haste", highlighting the quickness of movement.

it accelerated quickly

Changes "went fast" to "accelerated quickly", emphasizing the increasing speed of something.

it concluded swiftly

Replaces "went fast" with "concluded swiftly", focusing on the rapid ending of something.

it unfolded rapidly

Substitutes "went fast" with "unfolded rapidly", focusing on the quick development of something.

it vanished in a flash

Replaces "went fast" with "vanished in a flash", emphasizing the sudden disappearance of something.

it transpired quickly

Uses "transpired quickly" instead of "went fast", giving a more formal tone to the expression of an event happening.

it progressed rapidly

Substitutes "went fast" with "progressed rapidly", focusing on the speed of something's advancement.

FAQs

What does "it went fast" mean?

The phrase "it went fast" means that something occurred or progressed quickly. It's used to describe the rapid passage of time or the speed at which an event unfolded.

What can I say instead of "it went fast"?

You can use alternatives like "it passed quickly", "it happened rapidly", or "it elapsed swiftly" depending on the context.

Is "it went fast" too informal for professional writing?

Yes, "it went fast" is generally considered informal. For professional or academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives such as "the process accelerated" or "time elapsed rapidly".

How can I use "it went fast" in a sentence?

You can use "it went fast" to describe how quickly something happened, for example, "The project deadline was approaching, and "it progressed rapidly" once the team started collaborating efficiently." However, bear in mind its informality.