passed quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passed quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the swift passage of time or an event. Example: "The meeting passed quickly, and before we knew it, two hours had gone by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That feeling passed quickly.

The New Yorker

This pain passed quickly.

The New York Times

But that phase passed quickly.

The New York Times

But the moment passed quickly.

The New York Times - Arts

The weeks passed quickly.

The New York Times

The measures should be passed quickly.

The New York Times

Days passed quickly when she drank.

The New Yorker

Walker wanted his bill passed quickly.

The New Yorker

But this time the storm passed quickly.

The Economist

The three hours passed quickly.

The Guardian - Music

The rest of the day passed quickly.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing duration, use "passed quickly" to emphasize that a period of time felt short or uneventful. For example, "The initial weeks of the project passed quickly, as the team focused on laying the groundwork."

Common error

While "passed quickly" is suitable for many situations, consider more formal alternatives like "elapsed rapidly" or "progressed swiftly" in academic or business writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed quickly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action occurred. Ludwig AI confirms this as correct and usable. It describes how something progressed or how time elapsed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passed quickly" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe the rapid passage of time or the swift movement of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's essential to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives like "elapsed rapidly" in academic or business writing. When aiming for brevity and emphasis on speed, "passed quickly" serves as a reliable and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went by fast

Emphasizes the speed of passing, often referring to time.

elapsed rapidly

Formally indicates the swift passage of time.

moved swiftly

Suggests quick motion or progression of something.

progressed rapidly

Focuses on the fast advancement or development of something.

slipped away quickly

Implies a subtle and fast disappearance or passing of time or opportunity.

sped by

Informal way to express something moving or time passing at high speed.

rushed past

Suggests a hasty movement past a certain point or time.

whizzed by

Emphasizes the speed and often the sound of something passing.

flew by

Similar to "went by fast" but perhaps with a greater sense of speed.

vanished rapidly

Suggests something disappeared from sight or memory very quickly.

FAQs

What does "passed quickly" mean?

The phrase "passed quickly" means that a period of time, an event, or an object moved or progressed at a fast pace. It emphasizes the brevity or swiftness of the passing.

How can I use "passed quickly" in a sentence?

You can use "passed quickly" to describe how time felt, how an object moved, or how an event unfolded. For example, "The summer vacation "went by fast"", or "The runner "moved swiftly" to the finish line."

What are some alternatives to "passed quickly"?

Alternatives to "passed quickly" include phrases such as "elapsed rapidly", "flew by", or "went by fast". The best alternative depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "passed quickly" formal or informal?

"Passed quickly" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "progressed rapidly" or "moved swiftly".