picked up quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked up quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the rapid acquisition of knowledge, skills, or habits. Example: "She picked up quickly on the new software and was able to assist her colleagues within a few days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Business usually picked up quickly.

The New York Times

Her career picked up quickly.

The Guardian - Film

That is something the foreign players picked up quickly.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Alcazar hit the gas, and the Evo picked up quickly.

The New York Times

These newer airlines picked up quickly on a lesson that their bigger rivals ignored for decades.

The New York Times

Simms, who viewed this preseason as an opportunity to audition for other teams, is expected to be picked up quickly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

A slow start from Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, but then it picks up quickly.

The Guardian - Film

Despite these issues, the story picks up quickly.

The New York Times - Books

Children pick up quickly on this sort of thing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But he added that he remained hopeful that "growth will pick up, and pick up quickly".

The New York Times

Some questions on the profile allow students to pick up, quickly, on likely trouble spots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picked up quickly" to emphasize the speed and ease with which someone or something improved, learned, or gained popularity. For instance, "She "picked up quickly" on the new software and was able to assist her colleagues within a few days."

Common error

Avoid using "picked up quickly" in contexts where a gradual or lengthy process is more accurate. Overusing it might diminish the impact when describing genuinely rapid improvements. For example, do not say "The project "picked up quickly" after a year of slow progress." Instead, use "The project finally gained momentum after a year of slow progress."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked up quickly" functions as a verb phrase + adverb, modifying the verb to indicate the speed at which an action occurred. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Books

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picked up quickly" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the rapid acquisition, learning, or increase of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use, particularly in news and media, science and technology. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and choose more formal alternatives when appropriate. Common usage errors include applying the phrase to processes that are known to be slow or gradual. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of speed and efficiency, making it a valuable tool for writers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

learned rapidly

Focuses on the speed of learning.

grasped swiftly

Emphasizes understanding something quickly.

caught on fast

An informal way to say someone understood quickly.

accelerated rapidly

Highlights an increase in speed or rate.

gained momentum swiftly

Describes a quick increase in force or speed.

adopted quickly

Emphasizes a fast acceptance or start of using something.

grew quickly

Focuses on the speed of growth.

progressed rapidly

Emphasizes speed of making progress.

increased sharply

Describes a sudden and significant rise.

rose swiftly

Focuses on a quick upward movement or increase.

FAQs

How can I use "picked up quickly" in a sentence?

You can use "picked up quickly" to describe a rapid improvement or understanding. For example, "He "picked up quickly" on the new language" or "Sales "picked up quickly" after the marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to "picked up quickly"?

Alternatives include "learned rapidly", "grasped swiftly", or "caught on fast" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "picked up quickly" or should I use another adverb?

"Picked up quickly" is a correct and commonly used phrase. The adverb "quickly" appropriately modifies the verb phrase "picked up".

What's the difference between "picked up quickly" and "improved gradually"?

"Picked up quickly" indicates a rapid and noticeable improvement, while "improved gradually" suggests a slower, more incremental process. The choice depends on the actual speed of the progress.