pretty swiftly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty swiftly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is done quickly or with speed, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The team responded pretty swiftly to the unexpected changes in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

There the Leveson Crystal Ball One misted over pretty swiftly.

The Guardian

Trench, originally at the helm of the project, went off to become Dean of Westminster pretty swiftly.

Independent

"I think he was a bit embarrassed as he jumped back on pretty swiftly, without realising he'd dropped his phone.

Independent

REITs allowed investors to get out of their holdings if they wanted; they have been able to recapitalise pretty swiftly, too.

The Economist

Continually stopping and re-starting our contemplation in museums, from work to work and department to department, we wear out pretty swiftly.

The New Yorker

But she wraps this up pretty swiftly, reluctant to stake too much of a claim on it: her part, as she points out, is only relatively small.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Bond is horrified at the greater technology and resources available to his American counterpart, while Hunt swiftly becomes pretty unimpressed with 007's determination to sleep with every female member of his carefully recruited IMF team within minutes of meeting them, not to mention the manner in which at least a third of these passing paramours subsequently wind up dead.

The Guardian - Film

BARACK OBAMA'S choice of Jon Huntsman as his ambassador to China, announced last week, was pretty certain to be followed swiftly by his pick for Japan.

The Economist

He traveled on foot, we believe, from Marathon to Athens and, as fate would have it, old Philly was a very dependable courier and in pretty good shape as he swiftly covered some 42 kilometers of rough, rocky terrain to convey a message that would now be delivered in an e-mail instant.

Huffington Post

When I was six, they were befriended by another family in our tower block who swiftly turned them from pretty much apolitical into austere, harsh Salafi Islamists.

Vice

Despite its fullness, the site was pretty easy to navigate and moved along swiftly most of the time.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty swiftly" to convey a sense of quickness that is slightly more casual than "very quickly" or "rapidly". It is suitable for informal writing and conversation where a more relaxed tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty swiftly" in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives such as "expeditiously" or "with dispatch" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty swiftly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that an action is carried out with considerable speed, but with a slightly more casual tone than alternatives like "very quickly."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Lifestyle

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Sports

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty swiftly" is a grammatically sound and relatively common adverbial phrase used to describe actions performed with notable speed. As Ludwig AI states, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, but it's best reserved for neutral or informal settings. When more formality is required, alternatives such as "quite rapidly" or "fairly promptly" may be more appropriate. The phrase is best used to convey a sense of quickness without being overly formal or technical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather quickly

Replaces "pretty" with "rather", maintaining a similar degree of quickness.

quite rapidly

Substitutes both words to offer a slightly more formal tone.

fairly promptly

Emphasizes the immediacy and lack of delay in the action.

reasonably fast

Uses simpler language while conveying the same meaning.

somewhat speedily

Offers a slightly more elevated and literary tone.

in short order

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is done without much delay.

with some haste

Highlights the urgency or rush involved in the action.

without much delay

Explicitly states the absence of delay.

at a good clip

Informal and suggests a steady, fast pace.

apace

A more formal, literary term for swiftly.

FAQs

What does "pretty swiftly" mean?

The phrase "pretty swiftly" means fairly quickly or rapidly. It suggests that something happens with a good amount of speed, but not necessarily at the highest possible speed.

How can I use "pretty swiftly" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty swiftly" to describe how an action is performed. For example, "The company responded "pretty swiftly" to the crisis" or "He moved "pretty swiftly" to address the issue".

What are some alternatives to "pretty swiftly"?

Some alternatives to "pretty swiftly" include "rather quickly", "quite rapidly", or "fairly promptly". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "pretty swiftly" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty swiftly" is generally more appropriate for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "quite rapidly" or "fairly quickly" to maintain a professional tone.