promptly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'promptly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone did something quickly, without delay. For example: She responded promptly to my email.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In order to get the most from the Guardian Masterclass, you should ensure you arrive promptly and attend each session in full.

The Guardian

Beckenbauer promptly took off his draftsman, Magath, and brought on the old battering ram, Hoeness, who in the past had rescued the Germans from such fraught situations.

The Guardian - Sport

He said "we should promptly agree a timetable for accepting the dates and formats of future debates", including in the runup to the EU referendum.

The Guardian

Schumer's head promptly explodes at the contradictions of contemporary womanhood.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"India is a very important market for Xiaomi and we will respond promptly as needed and in full compliance with India's laws," said Manu Jain, head of Xiaomi India, in a statement.

The Guardian - Tech

When it received a request for extra-judiciary assistance from Minsk in February the public prosecutors in Warsaw promptly supplied details of funds transferred.

The Guardian

That has to be done promptly after surgery, said experts.

The Guardian

The opening clause in the editors' code of practice, about accuracy, states: "A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence... ...... On 15 March, The Sun published an "exclusive" splash headlined "Louis in BGT 'fix'fix

The Guardian

The men in baggy green were supposed to fly to South Africa fat and happy on the unprecedented euphoria of their shock Ashes whitewash, take one look at the strange colours of Africa, face up to the first inswinger from Dale Steyn and promptly fall in a heap.

The Guardian - Sport

Trust between him and his defence secretary, Liam Fox, whose made-for-TV protest letter was promptly leaked, is clearly low.

The Guardian - Opinion

The price slump this week prompted Fortescue Metal's chairman Andrew Twiggyy" Forrest to call for a cap on iron ore production which was promptly dismissed by Rinehart and the head of Rio Tinto Sam Walsh.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "promptly" to convey efficiency and a lack of delay in formal communications to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "promptly" in casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for alternatives like "right away" or "immediately" in less formal settings.

How to use

Learn how to use "promptly" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "promptly" is as an adverb, modifying verbs to indicate that an action is performed without delay. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage, confirming its role in adding precision to descriptions of actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "promptly" functions as an adverb indicating actions done without delay and is grammatically sound. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is correct and widely used across news, business, and scientific domains, demonstrating its versatility in formal communication. While highly effective in conveying efficiency, remember to consider your audience, as "promptly" may sound overly formal in casual settings. Alternatives such as "immediately" or "right away" can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately

Highlights the instantaneous nature of the action.

at once

Focuses on the immediacy of the response.

right away

Indicates an action taken at once.

without delay

Emphasizes the absence of any waiting period.

quickly

Stresses the speed with which something is done.

swiftly

Emphasizes the rapid and decisive nature of the action.

expeditiously

Suggests efficiency and speed in handling a task.

forthwith

Implies an immediate and direct response.

instantaneously

Highlights the action happening in an instant.

without hesitation

Underscores the willingness to act rapidly and decisively.

FAQs

How can I use "promptly" in a sentence?

"Promptly" is typically used as an adverb to describe an action done without delay. For example, "The company responded "promptly" to the customer's complaint."

What are some alternatives to using "promptly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "immediately", "right away", or "without delay".

Is it better to use "promptly" or "immediately"?

Both "promptly" and "immediately" suggest a quick action, but "immediately" implies an action that happens at once, while "promptly" suggests efficiency and a lack of delay. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "promptly" and "punctually"?

"Promptly" means without delay, whereas "punctually" refers to being on time or adhering to a schedule. You might arrive "punctually" for a meeting and then respond "promptly" to the issues raised.