swiftness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swiftness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality of being quick or fast in action or movement. Example: "The swiftness of the cheetah allows it to catch its prey with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something was going on between the other kids, something swift, subtle, constantly changing — an exchange of meanings, a negotiation, a swiftness of understanding so remarkable that sometimes she wondered if they were all telepathic.

The New Yorker

There was praise from across the political spectrum for Harper's achievements and the swiftness of his resignation.

The Guardian

Under the terms of the constitution the president has the power to dissolve the government and many of the sacked ministers may yet return but Mr Kiir must show the same swiftness in laying out his plans for a new government.

The Economist

It was an ethnic clearance of Balkan swiftness, nastiness and comprehensiveness that shocked many Italians and prompted them to question their society's attitudes to race and colour.

The Economist

Is there not a danger that, having rediscovered the swiftness of its terrible sword, America will turn too readily to the use of force in other conflicts?

The Economist

The unexpected swiftness of the Taliban's collapse has left different parts of the administration scrambling for an answer.After its victory in the Gulf war in 1991, the first Bush administration plunked down the political capital it won in the Muslim world on an effort to restart the Arab-Israeli peace process.

The Economist

Turkey, in the electoral grip of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his AK party, seemed to offer an economically successful model of democratic Islamist rule: a bigger, modern-looking Brother.The Brothers' dream has come apart with stunning swiftness.

The Economist

Mr Rehnquist's taste for swiftness and finality, though not necessarily for the ultimate sanction, seems to suit him to this job perfectly.

The Economist

The more venerable parts of the British academic establishment seem to agree: there have been condemnations of the UCU vote from the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and Universities UK, which groups all universities' vice-chancellors.British supporters of a boycott cannot claim that they did not expect the swiftness of the reaction.

The Economist

EVERYONE had assumed that his job was on the line, but the swiftness of the departure of Don Thompson, chief executive of McDonald's, came as a surprise.

The Economist

With comical swiftness, given the fact that the report is 1,987 pages long, all the main parties rushed to back most of the judge's suggestions.Lawmaking at speed is seldom sensible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swiftness" when you want to emphasize not just speed, but also the ease and efficiency with which something is done. For example, "The surgeon's swiftness saved the patient's life."

Common error

Avoid using "swiftness" in contexts where a simpler word like "speed" or "quickness" would suffice. Overusing "swiftness" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "swiftness" is as a noun, representing the quality or state of being swift. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the speed and efficiency of actions or processes, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swiftness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that denotes speed combined with efficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While synonyms like "speed" and "quickness" exist, "swiftness" carries a connotation of skill and ease. To use it effectively, consider whether you want to highlight not just speed, but also the manner in which an action is performed. Remember that overusing "swiftness" where simpler words suffice can diminish your writing's impact. Therefore, understanding its nuances can enhance your writing precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapidity

Emphasizes the rate at which something occurs, closely related to speed.

celerity

Highlights promptness and eagerness in action, similar to quickness.

speed

A general term for how quickly something moves or happens.

quickness

Focuses on the ability to perform actions rapidly and efficiently.

promptness

Stresses being on time and without delay.

expeditiousness

Refers to efficiency and speed in handling tasks or processes.

alacrity

Implies cheerful readiness and eagerness, in addition to speed.

velocity

A more technical term referring to the rate of change of position.

dispatch

Highlights efficiency and speed in completing a task or mission.

nimbleness

Focuses on agility and ease of movement.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "swiftness" in a sentence?

"Swiftness" is best used to describe the quality of being quick and efficient. For example, "The "swiftness of the response" was crucial in mitigating the damage."

What are some alternatives to "swiftness"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "rapidity", "celerity", or "speed".

Is there a difference between "swiftness" and "speed"?

While both terms relate to how quickly something happens, "swiftness" often implies a sense of ease and efficiency, whereas "speed" is a more general term. The "swiftness of the action" suggests skill, while "speed" merely indicates velocity.

In what contexts is "swiftness" most appropriate?

"Swiftness" is particularly fitting in formal writing or when describing actions where efficiency and precision are valued. News reports, encyclopedias, and professional documents are examples of appropriate contexts.