this was fast

USAGE SUMMARY

"this was fast" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to express the speed of an action, or to emphasize something that happened quickly. For example: "I couldn't believe how quickly she finished the race - this was fast!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I decided to quit while I was ahead, as this was fast becoming a sketch from Outnumbered.

Independent

"Come on, how often do you meet a farmer who can quote Fanny Burney and play the piano?" Gale says, when I suggest this was fast work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This was fast-tracked, and it's a good thing," he said.

The New York Times

"This was fast-tracked, and as a result some of the things that might have been done, that would have been done, did not take place," said Lt. Gen. Russell Davis.

The New York Times

I have no problem with my file being part of a general clear-out as the Met claims, but Williams alleges this was fast-tracked five days after I met managers of the domestic extremism unit in 2014 and told them I would send an updated request for my file.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was faster, louder, madder.

The Guardian - Sport

This is fast food?

The New York Times

And, this being fast food: cheap.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is fast becoming a shambles.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Andrade insists this is fast by global standards.

The Economist

This is fast becoming a habit and a good one.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, consider using "this was fast" to indicate that the completion time was shorter than expected.

Common error

Avoid using "this was fast" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the reader understands what "this" refers to, or rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of "This was fast", say "The delivery was fast" or "The completion time was fast".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was fast" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing an assessment of speed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It subjectively evaluates the quickness of a previously occurred event or process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was fast" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express that something happened quickly. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's versatile enough for use across various registers, though primarily found in news and media. When using it, ensure the context clearly indicates what "this" refers to. Consider alternatives like "it happened quickly" or "that was rapid" for slight nuances. Be mindful of clarity to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it happened quickly

Focuses on the speed of occurrence rather than a judgment of it.

the action was swift

Focuses on the action being quick.

that was rapid

Emphasizes the high speed of the event.

the pace was blistering

Highlights an incredibly fast pace.

it transpired swiftly

More formal way of saying it happened quickly.

it was unexpectedly quick

Adds an element of surprise to the speed.

the process was expedited

Highlights that the process was accelerated.

it didn't take long

Focuses on the short duration of the event.

it moved at a high velocity

Uses a more technical term to describe speed.

it all happened in a blur

Highlights the confusion caused by the speed.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "this was fast"?

You can use alternatives like "it happened quickly", "that was rapid", or "the process was expedited" depending on the context.

How can I use "this was fast" in a sentence?

Use "this was fast" to comment on the speed of something that just happened. For example: "The response time was excellent; this was fast."

Is "this was fast" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this was fast" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something occurred quickly.

What's the difference between "this was fast" and "this is fast"?

"This was fast" refers to something that happened in the past, while "this is fast" refers to something that is currently happening or is generally true. For example, "The delivery was yesterday; this was fast" (past) vs. "This internet connection is fast" (present).