relatively swiftly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively swiftly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is done quickly, but not at the fastest possible speed, indicating a moderate pace. Example: "The project was completed relatively swiftly, allowing us to move on to the next phase ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The situation improved relatively swiftly.

The Guardian

The verdict came relatively swiftly.

The New York Times

But Richards says Ofcom can deal with complaints "relatively swiftly".

The Guardian

His previous Broadway show, "Merlin," had been a well-known bomb that closed relatively swiftly six years earlier.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the yearly headaches over the spending bills -- on which Republicans, true to their word, have moved relatively swiftly this year -- also loom.

The New York Times

They spread through the Pacific relatively swiftly, largely bypassing Melanesia, which would explain why the Polynesians are not dark-skinned but speak an Austronesian language, rooted in Taiwan, instead of a Papuan language in parts of Melanesia.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

All known cultures utilize signs to convey relatively simple messages swiftly and conveniently.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those relatively sober looks were swiftly followed by the first frill of the show, ushering in a sumptuous cocktail hour.

The New York Times

Unless they are recaptured swiftly and relatively bloodlessly, popular anger at civilian casualties may once again force the Americans to back off.

The Economist

She cited a case in the city of Queimadas, where six men from relatively privileged circumstances were swiftly arrested, tried and convicted last year in the gang rape of five women, two of whom were killed after recognizing their assailants.

The New York Times

First of all, the brain has evolved over time to make decisions swiftly and relatively effortlessly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively swiftly", ensure the context provides a reference point for the comparison. It implies that the action is faster than expected or typical in a given situation.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively swiftly" when the action is genuinely very fast. The "relatively" softens the impact, so it's not appropriate for describing situations where extreme speed is the key characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively swiftly" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI shows that it modifies verbs, indicating that the action is done with a certain degree of speed, though not at the absolute fastest pace.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively swiftly" is a useful adverbial phrase that indicates an action is performed faster than average, but not at the highest possible speed. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly used in news, science, and business contexts. To enhance clarity, make sure the context provides a comparison point for the speed. Alternatives include "fairly quickly" or "reasonably swiftly". Remember to avoid using "relatively swiftly" when describing extremely fast actions, as the "relatively" softens the impact. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase "relatively swiftly" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably swiftly

This alternative replaces "relatively" with "reasonably", which maintains the sense of moderation in speed.

fairly quickly

This alternative uses more common and simple words to convey a similar meaning.

quite rapidly

This alternative uses "rapidly" to emphasize the speed, while "quite" indicates a degree of swiftness.

comparatively fast

This option uses "comparatively" to make the swiftness relative to something else, adding a layer of comparison.

moderately quickly

This alternative highlights the moderate aspect of the speed, making it clear it's not the fastest possible.

somewhat speedily

This alternative uses "speedily" to indicate quickness and "somewhat" to indicate a degree of moderation.

expeditiously enough

This alternative focuses on efficiency and effectiveness in achieving a swift outcome.

promptly enough

This alternative emphasizes the immediate nature of the action, but with a level of sufficiency rather than extreme speed.

swiftly to some extent

This alternative explicitly acknowledges that the action is fast but only within certain boundaries.

in a reasonably timely manner

This alternative focuses on achieving the action within an acceptable timeframe, rather than pure speed.

FAQs

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

You can use "relatively swiftly" to describe an action that happens faster than average, but not at the maximum possible speed. For example: "The issue was resolved "relatively swiftly", minimizing any disruption."

What are some alternatives to saying "relatively swiftly"?

Alternatives to "relatively swiftly" include "fairly quickly", "reasonably swiftly", or "moderately quickly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "relatively" with other adverbs of speed?

While not always redundant, be mindful of the specific context. Using "relatively" with adverbs that already imply moderation (like "slowly") can create an odd or contradictory effect. However, with "swiftly" it works well because "swiftly" implies a high speed while "relatively" decreases it.

What's the difference between "relatively swiftly" and "very swiftly"?

"Relatively swiftly" indicates a speed that's faster than average within a specific context, while "very swiftly" implies a high degree of speed without necessarily comparing it to a standard. "The problem was solved "relatively swiftly"" suggests the solution was faster than expected, while "The problem was solved "very swiftly"" emphasizes the speed of the solution itself.