quicker

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "quicker" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe anything that happens quickly, usually comparing one thing to something else. For example, you can say: "Walking is quicker than taking the bus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her students have the option of going through it quicker, and most complete it in one year.

The Guardian

Speaking on the BBC1's Andrew Marr Show, the shadow home secretary attempted to draw a distinction between her approach and those of the two other main hopefuls, Burnham and Kendall, who have been quicker to distance themselves from some of former leader Ed Miliband's election policies.

The Guardian

Bridges' quick feet and quicker mind allowed him to size up situations before defenders even knew that they existed, able to calculate exactly what needed to be done to get the ball into the net whether the ball was at his feet or someone else's.

The Guardian - Sport

Taking pictures on the 4S is much quicker, and taking extra pictures is too I tried the camera on taking pictures, and the setup is really fast.

The Guardian - Tech

But the first two of these questions require quicker, more contemporaneous answers.

The Guardian

If anyone else boasts that they can get the results out quicker, I'd like to know how.

The Guardian

Seal and Butcher both make baklava rolls, rather than the more conventional layered pastries; it's a quicker method, but a less satisfying one, as the smaller ratio of pastry to filling allows them to absorb less syrup.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We need to think about keeping people out of hospital and, if not, about getting them through the system quicker".

The Guardian

It makes sense that the people being discriminated against are quicker to realize they need to challenge that system then those who are not.

The Guardian

"I wanted to run a bit quicker," said Simpson.

The Guardian - Sport

"One of things that's changed is we use a different weight of paper now, because it's quicker to count," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing speeds, clearly state what you are comparing. For instance, say "Walking is "quicker" than taking the bus" instead of just "Walking is "quicker"".

Common error

Avoid using "quicker" without specifying what it is "quicker" than. The comparative nature of the word necessitates a point of reference to make the sentence meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "quicker" is as a comparative adjective. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses the quality of speed to a greater extent than something else. As Ludwig shows, it often appears in comparative constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quicker" functions as a comparative adjective, primarily used to denote superior speed or efficiency between two subjects, as underscored by Ludwig. Its usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted, making it a valuable term for clearly expressing relative velocity. Predominantly found in news and media and professional contexts, as exemplified by Ludwig's extensive corpus of examples, remember to use "quicker" with a clear comparison for optimal clarity. Ludwig confirms that mastering its comparative aspect allows for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of an action or process in a more formal tone.

more swiftly

Suggests elegance and ease in addition to speed.

at a faster pace

Focuses on the rate at which something is happening, rather than a direct comparison.

more speedily

Similar to "more rapidly" but slightly less formal.

more promptly

Highlights the timeliness of an action, implying it's done without delay.

with greater speed

Emphasizes the amount of speed involved.

in less time

Focuses on the duration required to complete something.

more expeditiously

Implies efficiency and effectiveness in achieving a quicker result.

more fleetly

A more poetic and less common way to describe moving faster.

at an accelerated rate

Highlights the increased speed of a process or change.

FAQs

How can I use "quicker" in a sentence?

You can use "quicker" to compare the speed of two actions or processes. For example, "Running is "faster", but taking a taxi is "quicker" than taking the bus."

What is a synonym for "quicker"?

Synonyms for "quicker" include "speedier", "more rapidly", and "faster". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "quicker" than?

Yes, "quicker" is a comparative adjective. It requires a comparison to be grammatically complete and to convey a clear meaning. Without specifying what it's "quicker" than, the sentence lacks context.

What's the difference between "quicker" and "faster"?

While "quicker" and "faster" are often interchangeable, "quicker" can sometimes imply a sense of ease or efficiency, while "faster" simply refers to a higher speed. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.