rather quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather quickly" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is happening faster than expected. For example, "He finished the project rather quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

rather quickly.

Cornell University

"Eternity arrived rather quickly.

The New York Times

Rather quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

The mood changed rather quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

We landed rather quickly after that.

The New York Times

He says, " 'Rolling' comes along rather quickly".

The New Yorker

It ended — well, it ended rather quickly.

The New Yorker

But it popped up rather quickly.

The New York Times

Most liberal commenters were banned rather quickly.

The Economist

"Yet they learned the system rather quickly".

The New York Times - Health

That whole thing can shift rather quickly".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for "rather quickly" when you want to convey a sense of slight surprise or mild astonishment at the speed of an event.

Common error

While "rather quickly" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "swiftly" or "expeditiously" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather quickly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something happens with notable speed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "rather quickly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe actions that occur faster than anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. While it is suitable for various contexts, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic writing. For more formal settings, synonyms like "swiftly" or "expeditiously" may be preferred. However, "rather quickly" effectively conveys a sense of promptness and is a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Quickly

A simpler and more direct synonym, lacking the added emphasis of "rather".

Rapidly

Focuses on the high speed or pace of an action's progression.

Swiftly

Highlights the promptness and speed of an action or event.

Without delay

Emphasizes the immediacy and lack of postponement in an action.

Promptly

Stresses the punctuality and immediacy of a response or action.

Very fast

Emphasizes the high speed of the action, focusing on its rapidity.

In short order

Implies that something is done efficiently and without delay.

Expeditiously

Stresses the efficiency and speed with which something is accomplished.

Apace

Indicates that something is advancing or progressing quickly.

Posthaste

Indicates a sense of urgency and immediate action.

FAQs

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

"Rather quickly" is an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, indicating something happened faster than anticipated. For example, "The problem was resolved "rather quickly" after the intervention".

What are some alternatives to "rather quickly"?

Alternatives include "swiftly", "rapidly", "promptly", or "without delay". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "rather quickly" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, but use it judiciously. Overuse can make your writing sound less polished. Consider using more formal synonyms like "expeditiously" in certain contexts.

What does "rather" emphasize in the phrase "rather quickly"?

The word "rather" adds a degree of surprise or unexpectedness to the speed of the action. It suggests something happened not just quickly, but more quickly than one might have thought.