quickly became

USAGE SUMMARY

"quickly became" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something happened in a short amount of time. For example, "The country quickly became unstable due to the growing political turmoil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He quickly became hooked.

The New Yorker

This quickly became a trend.

The New York Times - Sports

He quickly became an expert.

The New Yorker

Moss quickly became a candidate.

The New York Times - Magazine

It quickly became very successful.

The New York Times

Our movements quickly became ritual.

The New Yorker

He quickly became a billionaire.

The Economist

He quickly became "deputy commander".

The New Yorker

But it quickly became that".

The New York Times

His skills quickly became evident.

The New Yorker

It quickly became a hit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quickly became" to highlight a significant shift or change that occurred in a short period, adding impact and emphasis to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "quickly became" when the transformation actually took a considerable amount of time. Ensure that 'quickly' accurately reflects the duration of the change you are describing. It is not synonymous with 'eventually' or 'gradually'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quickly became" functions as a linking verb expressing a change of state or condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "became", emphasizing the speed of the transition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quickly became" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize a rapid change or transformation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely employed, particularly in news and media. While suitable for various contexts, it's important to ensure the speed of the transformation is accurately represented. Alternatives like "rapidly turned into" or "swiftly evolved into" can offer slightly different nuances. Using "quickly became" effectively can add impact to your writing by highlighting significant shifts in a concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapidly turned into

Emphasizes the speed and completeness of the transformation.

swiftly evolved into

Suggests a quick and natural development or progression.

soon transformed into

Highlights the change occurring shortly after a starting point.

instantaneously became

Implies an immediate change without delay.

promptly developed into

Focuses on the immediacy and growth aspect of the change.

without delay became

Highlights the lack of pause before the transformation occurred.

almost immediately became

Indicates that the transformation happened very shortly after something else.

in short order became

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the speed of the change.

before long was

Emphasizes the relatively short period before the change took place.

in no time became

Another idiomatic way of saying something happened very quickly.

FAQs

How can I use "quickly became" in a sentence?

Use "quickly became" to emphasize a rapid change or transformation. For instance, "The small startup "quickly became" a major player in the industry."

What are some alternatives to "quickly became"?

Alternatives include "rapidly turned into", "swiftly evolved into", or "soon transformed into", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "quickly became" in formal writing?

Yes, "quickly became" is suitable for formal writing as long as it accurately describes the speed of the transformation. In some cases, using a more precise term like "instantaneously became" might be preferred for scientific or technical contexts.

What is the difference between "quickly became" and "began to become"?

"Quickly became" emphasizes a swift transformation, while "began to become" suggests a gradual process. For example, "The situation "quickly became" critical" implies an immediate escalation, whereas "The situation began to become critical" suggests a gradual worsening.