relatively speedily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively speedily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is performed at a moderate or fairly quick pace compared to other actions or standards. Example: "The project was completed relatively speedily, allowing us to meet the deadline ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Andrew Krepinevich, of the Centre for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, compares the frontier posts of the Roman empire, which could be (relatively) speedily reinforced by road (see Mr Krepinevich's maps below).

The Economist

Both are among the few countries, apart from America itself, that can deploy "hard" power relatively speedily to distant trouble-spots; France is now striving to match Britain in this respect.

The Economist

It might turn the wisest head to be approached by François Henri Pinault, chief executive of the PPR luxury group, and be offered, relatively speedily, to take over from the designer Nicolas Ghesquière, who had made Balenciaga a hip and haute brand.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The tourism minister, Lorne Theophilus, said law enforcement officers were working "to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice speedily" and that St Lucia remained a "relatively safe" place for tourists and locals.

The Guardian

The drop in revenue is happening more speedily because those who leave tend to have relatively high incomes.

The Economist

Instead of finding hundreds of talking heads and moving speedily from idea to idea, the documentary lingers on a relatively few cases; letting the viewer sift through the layers of complexity and raw drama.

Huffington Post

All have been speedily falsified.

The Economist

David Cameron has responded speedily.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tea is speedily on offer.

The Guardian - Travel

Taylor speedily returned to Monrovia.

The Guardian

This will be done speedily".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively speedily" when you want to convey that something happens faster than expected, but not at the absolute quickest rate. It adds a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that speed is relative.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively speedily" when the context requires emphasizing rapid action. Phrases like "swiftly" or "rapidly" are more appropriate when portraying urgency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively speedily" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how an action is performed. It indicates that the action is carried out with some degree of speed, but that this speed is not absolute or exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its usability in describing actions performed at a moderate pace.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Relatively speedily" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe actions occurring faster than expected but not at the highest possible rate. As analyzed by Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, implying a neutral register. While not a frequently used expression, alternatives such as "fairly quickly" or "reasonably fast" can provide similar nuanced descriptions. When using "relatively speedily", consider whether it accurately reflects the intended degree of urgency or speed; simpler adverbs may be more appropriate in contexts requiring strong emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly quickly

Emphasizes a moderate pace of speed, focusing on the 'quick' aspect with a degree of qualification.

reasonably fast

Highlights the adequacy of the speed, suggesting it meets expectations or requirements without being exceptional.

comparatively rapidly

Uses 'rapidly' for a sense of swiftness, tempered by 'comparatively' to denote a relative measure against something else.

moderately swiftly

Combines 'swiftly' for quickness with 'moderately' to indicate a tempered or controlled pace.

somewhat promptly

Emphasizes timeliness and efficiency, using 'promptly' to suggest actions are done without delay, qualified by 'somewhat'.

in a timely manner

Focuses on the appropriateness of the timing, indicating that actions are completed within an acceptable timeframe.

with moderate haste

Suggests some urgency but not excessive rushing, balancing 'haste' with 'moderate'.

at a decent pace

Highlights the acceptability of the speed, indicating it is neither too slow nor too fast but 'decent'.

by no means slowly

Emphasizes that the action is definitely not slow, thus implying it has a degree of speed.

not unduly delayed

Focuses on the lack of excessive delay, implying a reasonable amount of speed in the process.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively speedily" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively speedily" to describe an action that is completed faster than anticipated but not at the fastest possible rate. For example: "The project was completed "relatively speedily", allowing us to meet the deadline ahead of schedule."

What are some alternatives to "relatively speedily"?

Alternatives to "relatively speedily" include "fairly quickly", "reasonably fast", or "comparatively rapidly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "relatively speedily" formal or informal?

"Relatively speedily" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for professional writing but may sound somewhat unusual in casual conversation. More informal options include "pretty fast" or "kinda quick".

When should I avoid using "relatively speedily"?

Avoid using "relatively speedily" when you need to emphasize a sense of extreme urgency or when describing something happening at the absolute fastest rate. Simpler adverbs like "quickly" or "rapidly" might be more effective in such cases.