swifter than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swifter than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens more quickly than one anticipated or predicted. Example: "The project was completed swifter than expected, 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

2 human-written examples

Although Ingram Micro enacted a stringent restructuring plan that's expected to yield $18.0 million to $24.0 million, the company said the downturn has been swifter than expected.

Forbes

A possible hypothesis for swifter than expected recovery is that currently cryptic migratory behavior moves some portions of the spiny dogfish population out of range of both fishing pressure and fishery-independent surveys used to assess spiny dogfish stocks.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The new survey data came as the pound fell to a five-week low against the dollar and other major currencies on Friday over concerns that Britain might leave the European Union at a swifter pace than expected.

The New York Times

Although prices rose by 40% in early 2002 as the peso slid, Roberto Lavagna, brought in as economy minister by Mr Duhalde and kept on by Mr Kirchner, steadied both the exchange rate and prices.Seize the momentAfter a slow start, recovery has been swifter than many expected, and similar to that in other countries that have unpegged their currencies.

The Economist

While the flanker has made a swifter-than-expected recovery, Bath are adamant they will not rush him back prematurely.

The Guardian - Sport

Preliminary data from Japan showed its gross domestic product had grown by a higher than expected 4.8% in the third quarter, raising hopes of a swift recovery for the economy.

Forbes

That was lower than expected.

The New York Times

Attendance was smaller than expected.

The New Yorker

Is that higher than expected?

Independent

The loss was far larger than expected.

The New York Times

The ending came rather sooner than expected.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "swifter than expected", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of the original expectation. For instance, specify whose expectations are being referenced or what the initial timeline was.

Common error

Avoid using "swifter than expected" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "faster" or "quicker" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swifter than expected" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating that something occurred at a faster pace than initially anticipated. This is supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "swifter than expected" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to describe something happening more rapidly than anticipated. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency is rare. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. When writing, ensure the context clarifies whose expectations are being referenced. Alternatives include "faster than anticipated" or "quicker than predicted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more swiftly than anticipated

Adds adverb "swiftly" keeping the formal tone and changes verb from expected to anticipated.

more rapid than anticipated

Replaces "swifter" with "more rapid" and "expected" with "anticipated", maintaining a formal tone.

quicker than anticipated

Substitutes "swifter" with "quicker", resulting in a slightly less formal tone while preserving the meaning.

faster than predicted

Uses "faster" in place of "swifter" and "predicted" instead of "expected", keeping the meaning intact with a slightly different emphasis.

sooner than foreseen

Replaces both "swifter" and "expected" with terms emphasizing timing, resulting in a meaning focused on earliness.

ahead of schedule

Offers a concise alternative, implying progress faster than the original plan.

at an accelerated rate

Changes structure to emphasize speed of change rather than comparison to expectations.

expedited unexpectedly

Focuses on the unexpected speeding up of a process or event.

arrived earlier than projected

Implies a timeline context, focusing on an earlier arrival or completion.

manifested more rapidly than believed

Emphasizes the speed of manifestation and changes the point of view from expectation to belief.

FAQs

What does "swifter than expected" mean?

The phrase "swifter than expected" means something happened more quickly or rapidly than was initially anticipated or predicted.

What can I say instead of "swifter than expected"?

You can use alternatives like "faster than anticipated", "quicker than predicted", or "ahead of schedule" depending on the context.

Is "swifter than expected" formal or informal?

"Swifter than expected" leans towards a more formal tone. In informal contexts, consider using "faster than I thought" or "quicker than I expected".

How can I use "swifter than expected" in a sentence?

Example: "The economic recovery was swifter than expected, leading to increased investor confidence."