swift and decisive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swift and decisive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or decisions that are made quickly and with certainty. Example: "The leader's response to the crisis was swift and decisive, ensuring the safety of all involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Big Decision on Afghanistan" (editorial, Dec. 17) calls for the swift and decisive withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Its response must be swift and decisive.

The New York Times

You may find it swift and decisive rather than precipitous.

The Guardian - Opinion

The response was swift and decisive: "That is a big no-no," an aide responded.

The New York Times

Her choices are pretty swift and decisive, and always very true to herself.

The New York Times

If airplanes crashed this frequently, the response of our elected leaders would be swift and decisive.

The New York Times

His natural caution did not inhibit his capacity for swift and decisive action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The punishment for those who failed to back the bill was swift and decisive.

The Guardian

That demands a swift and decisive end to the impunity which those who menace and kill the government's critics enjoy.

The Economist

He said that church leaders had not been "sufficiently vigilant" or "sufficiently swift and decisive" in cracking down on abusers.

The New York Times

Only swift and decisive action by the leaders of Europe's big economies is likely to head off the current crisis.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "swift and decisive", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates both the speed and the impact of the action being described. Avoid using it in situations where only one aspect (either speed or decisiveness) is prominent.

Common error

Avoid using "swift and decisive" to describe actions where the actor is unclear or the outcome is ambiguous. Instead of saying "Action was swift and decisive", specify who took the action and what the result was to strengthen your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swift and decisive" functions as a compound adjective, typically modifying nouns related to actions, responses, or decisions. As Ludwig AI states, this combination underscores both the speed and the impact of the described action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swift and decisive" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that functions as a compound adjective, emphasizing both the speed and impact of an action or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing. The phrase conveys efficiency, effectiveness, and resolution, making it a versatile choice for describing impactful responses. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it is important to ensure the context clearly supports both the swiftness and decisiveness of the action. Alternatives such as "rapid and conclusive" or "quick and resolute" can be used to achieve slightly different nuances. Understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, such as overuse in passive constructions, can help writers employ this phrase effectively in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapid and conclusive

Replaces "swift" with "rapid" emphasizing speed, and "decisive" with "conclusive" emphasizing finality.

quick and resolute

Substitutes "swift" with "quick" for brevity, and "decisive" with "resolute" stressing determination.

prompt and determined

Replaces "swift" with "prompt" highlighting immediacy, and "decisive" with "determined" focusing on purposefulness.

immediate and firm

Uses "immediate" instead of "swift" to emphasize the lack of delay, and "firm" instead of "decisive" to highlight resolution.

expeditious and definitive

Replaces "swift" with "expeditious" to denote efficiency, and "decisive" with "definitive" emphasizing clarity and precision.

nimble and assertive

Uses "nimble" to indicate agility and speed, and "assertive" to highlight a confident and forceful approach.

agile and resolute

Replaces "swift" with "agile" emphasizing quickness and flexibility, and "decisive" with "resolute" stressing unwavering determination.

vigorous and definitive

Replaces "swift" with "vigorous" emphasizing strength, and "decisive" with "definitive" to underline conclusiveness.

forceful and immediate

Uses "forceful" to convey a strong and impactful action, and "immediate" to denote the lack of delay.

resolute and prompt

Swaps "swift" for "prompt" highlighting immediacy, and "decisive" for "resolute" emphasizing firm determination.

FAQs

How can I use "swift and decisive" in a sentence?

You can use "swift and decisive" to describe actions or decisions that are both quick and impactful. For example: "The company took "swift and decisive" action to address the data breach."

What are some alternatives to "swift and decisive"?

Alternatives include "rapid and conclusive", "quick and resolute", or "prompt and determined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "swift and decisive" a formal or informal expression?

"Swift and decisive" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its widespread use in news media, business reports, and academic writing demonstrates its versatility.

What does it mean to take "swift and decisive" action?

To take "swift and decisive" action means to respond to a situation quickly and with a clear, impactful resolution, leaving little room for ambiguity or prolonged uncertainty.