quite swiftly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite swiftly" is correct and usable in both spoken and written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something happened at a moderate speed or with alacrity. For example, "The dog ran quite swiftly across the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

And moreover, they can happen quite swiftly, and quite unexpectedly".

The Guardian

Its range on battery power alone is 110km, which would pass quite swiftly in this car.

The Economist

And quite swiftly, I found my favorite running shoes at the Nike Factory Store.

The New York Times

Asked if he ever needed to deploy his martial arts to defuse a situation, he said: "A few times, but that got dealt with quite swiftly.

Independent

So unless the government puts the Chinese, say, in charge of constructing that bridge quite swiftly, the nation's first nuclear-fuel cask will have to take a boat.

The Economist

Now let's say that you can demonstrate quite swiftly that the headline is untrue through personal testimonies (I would vouch for you) and CCTV footage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

There's nothing quite like parental death swiftly followed by motherhood to really make you examine how you were brought up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said she was "quite shocked by how swiftly he had decided to depart the stage".

BBC

The stereotypical rightwing commentator's perspective on poverty is that it's down to a failure of will: put your mind to it, harden your resolve – get on your bike, as Norman Tebbit never quite said – and you'll swiftly improve your lot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As the law closes in, he tells his female accomplice, "Baby, you're special but there's something not quite right," and a choir swiftly upbraids him: "She's a Venus in flares/ And you wanna split hairs?" Elsewhere, Mr. Murdoch is up to his usual tricks.

The New York Times - Arts

Swiftly moving streams are quite rare.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite swiftly" to describe actions that happen faster than average but without a sense of urgency. It's suitable for conveying efficiency and smoothness.

Common error

While "quite swiftly" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Instead, consider stronger synonyms like 'expeditiously' or 'rapidly'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite swiftly" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how an action is performed. It indicates the manner or speed of the verb it modifies, adding detail and nuance to the description. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite swiftly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase indicating that something is done with a moderate level of speed. Ludwig AI confirms this, and examples illustrate its application in various contexts, particularly within news and media. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral contexts, and writers should consider more precise vocabulary for highly formal writing. Its frequency and presence in reputable sources underscore its validity and usefulness in expressing speed and efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather quickly

Replaces 'swiftly' with 'quickly' and 'quite' with 'rather', resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

pretty quickly

Replaces 'quite' with 'pretty' maintaining a similar level of emphasis on speed and informality.

somewhat rapidly

Substitutes 'swiftly' with 'rapidly', making the phrase slightly more formal, and 'quite' with 'somewhat', softening the intensity.

relatively rapidly

Similar to "quite swiftly" but with a slightly more formal tone due to the word 'relatively'.

fairly promptly

Replaces 'swiftly' with 'promptly', emphasizing timeliness, and 'quite' with 'fairly', slightly reducing the emphasis on speed.

moderately fast

Replaces 'swiftly' with 'fast', simplifying the language, and 'quite' with 'moderately', indicating a medium level of speed.

with moderate speed

Replaces the adverbial phrase with a prepositional phrase, focusing on the degree of speed.

reasonably soon

Shifts the focus from speed to time, suggesting something will happen in an acceptable timeframe.

at a good pace

Emphasizes the steadiness of the speed, suggesting efficiency without extreme haste.

in a timely manner

Shifts the focus to the appropriateness of the timing rather than the speed itself.

FAQs

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

Use "quite swiftly" to describe an action that is performed with noticeable speed but without excessive haste. For example, "The project progressed "quite swiftly" once the initial funding was secured".

What are some alternatives to "quite swiftly"?

Alternatives include "rather quickly", "somewhat rapidly", or "fairly promptly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "quite swiftly" appropriate for formal writing?

While "quite swiftly" is generally acceptable, consider whether a more precise term like "expeditiously" or "rapidly" might be more suitable for very formal or academic writing. It depends on the desired tone and level of formality.

What is the difference between "quite swiftly" and "very swiftly"?

"Quite swiftly" implies a noticeable but not extreme speed, whereas "very swiftly" suggests a higher degree of speed. The choice depends on the intensity you want to convey.