start quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start quickly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to emphasize the need for prompt action or initiation of a task. Example: "We need to start quickly to meet the deadline." Alternative expressions include "begin promptly" and "initiate swiftly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effects start quickly.

The New Yorker

He had better start quickly.

The Economist

That needs to start quickly.

The New York Times

And so, I believe these meetings will start quickly.

Yale University

The Giants believe Manning will be ready to start quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

Experiments showed that the prototype can start quickly, and the operation of the system is very stable.

Applied Thermal Engineering

And so I hope that these committee meetings will start quickly.

Yale University

By laying out future street easements, bus service could start quickly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A "regular order" process to finance the government through 2014 will start quickly.

The New York Times

But even after Valentine's speech, the Mets felt they needed to start quickly against Kevin Millwood.

The New York Times - Sports

Assuming applicants have the right training, certification, and language skills, they can usually start quickly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports reporting, this phrase is particularly effective for describing teams or athletes who take an early lead.

Common error

Do not pair "start quickly" with redundant phrases like "at the beginning". Since the word start already implies the initial stage, adding "at the beginning" creates unnecessary wordiness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start quickly" functions as a verb modified by an adverb of manner. According to Ludwig, it is used to denote the initiation of an action characterized by speed or lack of delay. The verb 'start' establishes the point of origin, while the adverb 'quickly' specifies the velocity or urgency associated with that origin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start quickly" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to describe the prompt initiation of any action. Data from Ludwig indicates that it is a staple of journalistic and professional writing, appearing frequently in outlets like The New York Times and BBC. It is particularly prevalent in sports commentary to describe a strong opening and in technical or medical contexts where time is of the essence. While formal alternatives like "begin promptly" exist, "start quickly" remains the most versatile choice for both casual and professional communication. Ludwig AI confirms its reliability as a standard linguistic construction that clearly communicates urgency and momentum.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start right away

Focuses more on the immediate timing of the action rather than the speed of the start itself.

begin promptly

Provides a more formal tone suitable for professional or academic environments.

commence immediately

Uses highly formal vocabulary, often found in legal or official directives.

initiate swiftly

Emphasizes the speed and efficiency of the launching process.

start fast

Common in sports and competitive contexts to describe high initial momentum.

set off at once

Often implies physical movement or the beginning of a journey.

launch without delay

Stresses the absence of any waiting period before the action begins.

kick off instantly

Uses a more idiomatic and informal approach to indicate an immediate start.

get underway rapidly

Describes a process or event that begins to move forward at high speed.

hit the ground running

An idiom that suggests not just starting quickly but starting with full energy and effectiveness.

FAQs

How to use "start quickly" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an action that needs to happen without delay, such as: "The project needs to "start quickly" if we want to meet the deadline".

What can I say instead of "start quickly"?

Depending on the context, you can use "begin promptly", "initiate swiftly", or more informally, "start fast".

Is "start quickly" or "start quick" more correct?

In formal writing, "start quickly" is preferred because "quickly" is the adverb modifying the verb. "Start quick" is common in casual speech but is technically an adjective used as an adverb.

When is "start quickly" most commonly used?

It is frequently used in sports to describe a strong beginning, in business to discuss project timelines, and in technology to describe machine or software performance.