quickly spun around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quickly spun around" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something turning around rapidly, often in response to a stimulus or action. Example: "Startled by the sudden noise, she quickly spun around to see what had happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A well-dressed, white-haired woman quickly spun around.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Mets' left fielder, Lucas Duda, took one step in but quickly spun around when he realized the ball was going over his head.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was hyperreactive to visual stimuli and would often quickly spin around when she got distracted.

The New York Times - Sports

There's even a button that causes the camera to quickly spin around into a selfie mode, pointing the camera backwards at the user.

TechCrunch

The whole network of clumsy alliances was quickly spinning around her.

The New Yorker

Suzuki stopped and spun around quickly, but the ball was not only over his head, it was over the wall, too.

The New York Times - Sports

He likened the twisting of the body to that of a plastic bag being spun around quickly and turning like a corkscrew, and said when the train was removed and the body was twisted back, "All your guts fall down and in less than a minute, you're dead".

Wikipedia

The biggest feeling is to win two in a row". Mathis caught the ball, spun around and saw his own end zone and quickly turned upfield.

The New York Times - Sports

The driver spun around, beaming.

The New Yorker

Shelgel spun around, his fair face reddening.

The New Yorker

Carpenter spun around, eyes agape, in disgust.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: While grammatically correct, there might be alternatives like "swiftly turned around" or "rapidly pivoted", that better fit a formal context.

Common error

Avoid using "quickly spun around" in highly formal or academic contexts where a more precise or sophisticated verb might be preferred. Options like "pivoted swiftly" or "rotated rapidly" might offer a better tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quickly spun around" functions as a compound verb phrase, where "quickly" modifies the action of spinning. It describes the manner in which someone or something turns.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quickly spun around" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a rapid turning motion. Ludwig examples show it appears mainly in news and media contexts. While correct, consider the context when using it, as more formal alternatives may be suitable for academic or professional writing. The adverb "quickly" emphasizes the speed of the rotation. It's a phrase that conveys both the action and the immediacy of the response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swiftly turned around

Emphasizes the speed and efficiency of the turning motion.

rapidly pivoted

Highlights a sharp and decisive change in direction.

whirled around

Implies a fast, circular motion.

turned sharply

Focuses on the abruptness of the turning action.

spun rapidly

Reverses the order of adverb and verb.

rotated quickly

Uses a more formal term for turning.

twisted around fast

Emphasizes the twisting motion and speed.

immediately turned

Highlights the immediacy of the turning action without emphasizing the speed.

flipped around quickly

Conveys a more casual and dynamic turning motion.

snapped around

Emphasizes the suddenness and force of the turning action.

FAQs

What does "quickly spun around" mean?

The phrase "quickly spun around" means to turn around rapidly or swiftly. It emphasizes the speed and completeness of the turning motion.

How can I use "quickly spun around" in a sentence?

You can use "quickly spun around" to describe someone's reaction to a sudden sound or event, for example: "Startled by the loud bang, she "quickly spun around" to see what had happened."

What are some alternatives to "quickly spun around"?

Alternatives include "swiftly turned around", "rapidly pivoted", or "whirled around". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "quickly spun around" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "quickly spun around" might be more suitable for informal or narrative writing. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "pivoted swiftly" or "rotated rapidly".