that was swift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was swift" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or response that occurred quickly or without delay. Example: "The delivery of the package was impressive; that was swift."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Nothing was the same after that: developers discovered the historic waterfront, initiating a gentrification that was swift and unstop-pable.

The New York Times - Books

The C.I.A. director, said one intelligence official, "has been fully engaged from the start of the agency's response, particularly in the rescue mission that was swift and aggressive".

The New York Times

It was becoming entertaining too, a match that was swift and direct, the ball moved rapidly and with a sense of urgency.

The Guardian - Sport

Another university put on notice, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, unexpectedly eliminated virtually all its affirmative action policies this month under separate pressure from the state attorney general's office, but, after an outcry from students, faculty members and administrators that was swift and vociferous, its board has agreed to reconsider.

The New York Times

That was swift judicial action on the first major campaign legislation in decades.

The New York Times

The predominant HiddleSwift narrative was mostly a combination of "How could she?" and "Damn that was swift" (zing), labeling the "1989" singer yet again as a boy-obsessed crazy looking to fill the next blank space. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The code calls for enforcement measures that are swift, fair, consistent and appropriate.

The New York Times - Sports

He proposes, for lesser offenders, punishments that are swift and certain but not necessarily severe: a night in jail, instead of a warning, for missing a meeting with a parole officer, say, and ten nights the next time.

The New Yorker

Mr. Washington's Creasy is, in effect, a one-man lynch mob, cutting through the corruption and red tape that protects the kidnappers in order to bring them punishment that is swift, merciless and sure.

The New York Times

We all remember that wine bottle hammered into a young anti-fascist rebel's skull in Pan's Labyrinth… "There's a couple of very strong violent moments, that are swift and unadorned," says Del Toro.

The Guardian - Film

What Americans expect from Washington is action that matches the sense of urgency they feel in their daily lives - action that's swift, bold and wise enough for us to climb out of this crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was swift" when you want to acknowledge and emphasize the speed and efficiency of an action or response. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts where a quick turnaround is notable.

Common error

Avoid using "swift" when describing processes or actions that are expected to be slow or deliberate. "Swift" implies a positive attribute of speed, so it's unsuitable for situations where speed is undesirable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was swift" primarily functions as an exclamatory remark expressing surprise or acknowledgment of speed. It is often used to commend efficiency or rapid action, similar to the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0.5%

Science

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was swift" is a phrase used to express appreciation for the speed of an action or response. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it should be used when the quickness is a positive attribute. Related phrases include that was quick and that was fast, offering slight variations in tone. Be sure to note the nuances of using "swift" in context. This phrase is widely understood and suitable for various settings, as evidenced by its frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was quick

Replaces "swift" with a more common synonym, "quick", maintaining the same meaning.

that was fast

Uses "fast" as a substitute for "swift", indicating rapid action or response.

that was rapid

Employs "rapid" to convey the idea of speed, offering a slightly more formal tone.

that was speedy

Replaces "swift" with "speedy", which implies promptness and efficiency.

that was prompt

Focuses on the immediacy of the action or response.

that was immediate

Highlights the absence of delay in the action or response.

that was expeditious

Substitutes "swift" with a more formal and less common word, "expeditious", emphasizing efficiency.

that happened quickly

Shifts the structure to focus on the action itself happening rapidly.

that was lightning-fast

Adds emphasis to the speed by using a simile comparing it to lightning.

that was without delay

Emphasizes the lack of delay, highlighting the speed of the action.

FAQs

What does "that was swift" mean?

The phrase "that was swift" means that something happened very quickly or without delay. It's used to express surprise or approval at the speed of an action or response.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that was swift"?

It's appropriate to use "that was swift" when you want to acknowledge the speed and efficiency of something. It works well in situations where a quick turnaround is impressive or unexpected.

What can I say instead of "that was swift"?

You can use alternatives like "that was quick", "that was fast", or "that was immediate" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "that was swift" formal or informal?

The phrase "that was swift" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. While "swift" itself might sound slightly more formal than "quick" or "fast", the overall phrase is versatile and suitable for a range of situations.