precipitately

USAGE SUMMARY

"precipitately" is an accepted and correct word in written English.
It is an adverb meaning “in a hasty or impulsive manner” or “suddenly and urgently”. For example, you can use it in a sentence such as: "I had to leave precipitately, as I had an unexpected appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Iraq, he shows no sign of pulling British troops out precipitately but indicates a certain sympathy with those who think he should by promising to get rid of the ban on demonstrations outside Parliament.Most interesting are his pronouncements on three other issues: housing, constitutional reform and how he plans to run the government.

The Economist

He would find it much harder to repair America's alliances while clamping down on Iran and putting pressure on Pakistan if he were to let Iraq lapse into chaos by withdrawing the bulk of America's force there precipitately.

The Economist

WHEN stockmarkets fall precipitately, the story makes the nightly television news bulletins.

The Economist

His point is not that the soldiers should stay on indefinitely, but that they should not be removed precipitately.

The Economist

Prices dropped precipitately, but investors have come to see that the Federal Reserve, under its new chairman, will not let the economy slide.

The Economist

But, all in all, it seems safe to say that, though America is militarily pre-eminent as never before, defence will be a central concern.Yet plenty of traps await Mr Bush if he precipitately tries to go it alone.

The Economist

Trade, having fallen precipitately, is levelling off (see article).

The Economist

They have not acted precipitately in Iraq, they have not granted a blank check to the auto companies, and they have shown impressive open-mindedness and adaptability in addressing the crisis in the banking sector even if they have been awfully slow to arrive at a credible final policy.

The Economist

It is true that Mr Brown's stock has fallen precipitately of late as his past has caught up with him in various alarming ways.

The Economist

"The message we were sending to these families before", says Jean Rogers, director of the state's welfare programmes at the Department of Workforce Development, "was, 'We think so little of you, we don't think you can cope in the workforce.' The number of critics has fallen precipitately as the predictions of tragedy have proved wrong".

The Economist

The number of civil wars continued to rise until about 1990 and then fell precipitately.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precipitately" to describe actions or decisions that are made too quickly or without enough thought. It is suitable for formal contexts where you want to convey a sense of haste and potential recklessness.

Common error

While both words suggest suddenness, "precipitately" implies a lack of careful consideration, whereas "abruptly" simply means suddenly and doesn't necessarily carry the negative connotation of haste and lack of planning. Consider if the lack of planning is intended when using the word.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the adverb "precipitately" is to modify verbs, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that an action is carried out hastily, rashly, or without due consideration. Ludwig AI shows it being used to describe how stockmarkets fall or how armies withdraw.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

19%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precipitately" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb that describes actions performed hastily and without due consideration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's particularly common in News & Media and Encyclopedia sources and is often used to express concern or disapproval of hasty decisions. When using "precipitately", consider whether alternative adverbs like "hastily" or "abruptly" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be careful not to confuse it with words that simply denote speed without the implication of recklessness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hastily

Emphasizes speed and a lack of attention to detail in the action.

hurriedly

Stresses the speed and often implies a sense of urgency or being rushed.

abruptly

Highlights the suddenness and unexpectedness of the action or event.

rashly

Focuses on the lack of forethought and the potential for negative consequences.

impulsively

Suggests acting on a sudden urge or inclination without considering the consequences.

headlong

Conveys a sense of reckless speed and a lack of control.

suddenly

Emphasizes the unexpected and immediate nature of the action.

quickly

A general term indicating speed, without necessarily implying haste or recklessness.

expeditiously

Highlights efficiency and speed, often in a formal or business context.

without delay

Emphasizes the immediate and prompt nature of the action.

FAQs

How to use "precipitately" in a sentence?

"Precipitately" is typically used to describe actions done hastily and without sufficient consideration. For example: "The government should not act "rashly" and make decisions "hastily" on the matter."

What can I say instead of "precipitately"?

You can use alternatives like "hastily", "abruptly", or "rashly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "precipitately" or "abruptly"?

Both "precipitately" and "abruptly" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Precipitately" implies a lack of careful consideration, while "abruptly" simply means suddenly.

What's the difference between "precipitately" and "quickly"?

"Quickly" simply refers to speed, while "precipitately" suggests acting with excessive haste and a lack of thought. Therefore, choosing which word to use will be contingent on if haste is present in what you are describing.