swift and harsh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swift and harsh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or responses that are quick and severe in nature. Example: "The punishment was swift and harsh, leaving no room for leniency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The reaction was swift and harsh.

The New York Times

The reaction from some conservative commentators was swift and harsh.

University of California, Berkeley

And the show is as swift and harsh as "24".

The New York Times - Arts

The reaction from Iran's hard-liners was swift and harsh.

The New Yorker

Foreign reaction to the speech was swift and harsh, however.

The Washington Post

Justice for crimes like claim-jumping was swift and harsh.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It also came after months of fierce criticism that Israel was not doing enough to apprehend the perpetrators — widely assumed to be Jewish extremists — and calls that Israel apply the same swift determination and harsh measures to Jewish attackers of Palestinians as it does to Palestinian attackers of Jews.

Los Angeles Times

As part of the increased law enforcement efforts, judicial authorities have been encouraged to mete out swifter, and harsher, punishment.

The New York Times

Historically, such courts have meted out swifter and harsher penalties on criminal defendants than civilian courts.

Los Angeles Times

The condemnation was swift and disproportionately harsh for a suggestion that was basically doomed from the start.

The New York Times

But dally a bit too much, or bend the facts in pursuit of a truth he cannot see, and judgment for the lawyers can be swift and, well, harsh.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing consequences, use "swift and harsh" to emphasize the immediacy and severity of the outcome. This can add impact to your writing, especially in legal or dramatic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "swift and harsh" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it may sound overly dramatic or formal. Opt for simpler terms like "quick and tough" or "fast and severe" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swift and harsh" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe the quality of something, such as a reaction, punishment, or judgment. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing both speed and severity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swift and harsh" is a common phrase used to describe actions or consequences that are both immediate and severe. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to consider the tone and formality of your writing, as overuse in informal settings may sound unnatural. Remember to explore alternative phrases like "rapid and severe" to add variety to your writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "swift and harsh" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapid and severe

Replaces 'swift' with 'rapid' and 'harsh' with 'severe', maintaining the sense of speed and intensity.

quick and severe

Substitutes 'swift' with 'quick', emphasizing immediacy along with the severity.

immediate and severe

Replaces 'swift' with 'immediate' to highlight the lack of delay and 'harsh' with 'severe' for intensity.

prompt and stringent

Uses 'prompt' in place of 'swift' and 'stringent' to replace 'harsh', conveying a sense of immediacy and strictness.

instant and rigorous

Employs 'instant' and 'rigorous' to suggest immediacy and thoroughness in the severity.

expeditious and punitive

Replaces 'swift' with 'expeditious', indicating efficiency and speed, and 'harsh' with 'punitive', emphasizing the punishing nature.

sudden and brutal

Uses 'sudden' to show the unexpected nature of the action, with 'brutal' emphasizing extreme harshness.

rapid and unforgiving

Replaces 'harsh' with 'unforgiving' to stress the lack of leniency in the action or consequence.

immediate and uncompromising

Substitutes 'swift' with 'immediate' and 'harsh' with 'uncompromising', focusing on the inflexibility of the action.

swift and unsparing

Keeps 'swift' to maintain the sense of speed, while replacing 'harsh' with 'unsparing' to emphasize the lack of mercy.

FAQs

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

The phrase "swift and harsh" is generally used to describe consequences, reactions, or judgments that are both immediate and severe. For example, "The judge delivered a "swift and harsh" sentence to the defendant".

What are some alternatives to "swift and harsh"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "rapid and severe", "quick and severe", or "immediate and uncompromising" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "swift and harsh"?

The phrase "swift and harsh" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something happened quickly and had severe consequences. It is often used in formal writing or when describing serious situations.

Is "swift and harsh" more impactful than alternatives like "quick and severe"?

The impact of "swift and harsh" versus alternatives like "quick and severe" depends on the context and desired tone. "Swift and harsh" may sound more formal and dramatic, while "quick and severe" is slightly more colloquial.