shockingly fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shockingly fast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs at an unexpectedly high speed, often implying surprise or disbelief at the speed. Example: "The internet connection was shockingly fast, allowing me to download large files in mere seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Revelations can be serendipitous, and shockingly fast.

The New York Times - Tech

Technology companies that lose such wars often suffer shockingly fast profit declines.

The New York Times

The road is twisting and steep, too narrow for compact cars to pass, with switchbacks that arrive shockingly fast.

The New York Times - Sports

EARLY this year Asia's economies were falling shockingly fast; now they are rebounding even more strongly than expected.

The Economist

He gets off the ball quickly, moves shockingly fast for a man his size, and slips through cracks in the line to make plays in the backfield.

The New York Times

Even at America's shockingly fast clip, there are still far too few executions, applied too randomly, to put any would-be felon off.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's that his spirit is still shockingly, youthfully fast, and the script of The Judge allows him to draw on the machine-gun verbal dexterity that is his principal mode of expression.

BBC

Fear, denial and the need to learn aren't new challenges, but more senior executives are falling prey to them in today's shockingly tough and fast-changing environment.

Forbes

Correction: The title of Elizabeth Cline's book has been amended from "Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost Of Fast Fashion" to "Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost Of Cheap Fashion".

Huffington Post

It's a reminder that much of what we in the West see as shockingly aberrant in today's industrializing countries and fast-growing cities was our norm a short two generations ago.

The New York Times

Another fast-food executive just said something shockingly reasonable about the minimum wage.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shockingly fast" to describe situations where the speed is unexpected or surprising, creating a sense of astonishment or disbelief. For example, "The company's growth was shockingly fast, exceeding all expectations."

Common error

Avoid using "shockingly fast" excessively in very informal conversations or casual writing. While the phrase is acceptable, overusing it can diminish its impact. Opt for simpler alternatives like "really fast" or "super quick" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shockingly fast" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier of an adjective. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is considered grammatically correct, and its use serves to intensify the degree to which something is fast, often implying surprise or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shockingly fast" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something occurring at an unexpectedly high speed. Ludwig AI affirms its validity, highlighting its role in intensifying the adjective "fast" while often implying surprise. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "astonishingly rapid". To effectively use the term, employ it when you genuinely want to convey astonishment at the speed of an event or process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably fast

Replaces "shockingly" with "remarkably", maintaining the emphasis on speed but with a slightly less intense sense of surprise.

amazingly fast

Substitutes "shockingly" with "amazingly", conveying a sense of wonder at the speed.

incredibly quick

Replaces both words with synonyms to express a similar meaning but with different word choices.

astonishingly rapid

Uses more formal synonyms for both "shockingly" and "fast", resulting in a more elevated tone.

surprisingly speedy

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the speed using "surprisingly" instead of "shockingly".

unbelievably rapid

Highlights the difficult-to-believe aspect of the speed.

exceptionally swift

Focuses on the unusual or extraordinary nature of the speed.

at an alarming rate

Shifts the focus to the rate of change or movement, implying a sense of worry or concern.

with startling velocity

Emphasizes the speed using a more scientific or technical term.

at breakneck speed

Highlights the danger or risk associated with the high speed.

FAQs

How can I use "shockingly fast" in a sentence?

You can use "shockingly fast" to describe something that happens much more quickly than expected. For example, "The delivery was "shockingly fast", arriving within hours of placing the order."

What can I say instead of "shockingly fast"?

You can use alternatives like "remarkably fast", "amazingly quick", or "incredibly rapid" depending on the context.

Is "shockingly fast" suitable for formal writing?

While "shockingly fast" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives such as "astonishingly rapid" or "exceptionally swift" for academic or professional writing to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "shockingly fast" and "surprisingly fast"?

"Shockingly fast" implies a greater degree of surprise and potential disbelief compared to "surprisingly fast". "Shockingly" suggests the speed was so unexpected it caused a notable reaction, whereas "surprisingly" simply indicates something was not fully anticipated.