to proceed swiftly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to proceed swiftly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone should move forward with a task or action quickly. Example: "In order to meet the deadline, we need to proceed swiftly with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Slovenia needs now to proceed swiftly and decisively" with reforms, Mr. Rehn said.

The New York Times

While no deal has been finalized, negotiations are expected to proceed swiftly, according to one person with knowledge of the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.

The New York Times

Late Wednesday night, the White House issued a statement that said, "President Trump agreed not to terminate NAFTA at this time and the leaders agreed to proceed swiftly, according to their required internal procedures, to enable the renegotiation of the NAFTA deal to the benefit of all three countries".

The New Yorker

Assigning cognitively demanding tasks mainly to students with advanced knowledge undoubtedly helps to proceed swiftly in the curriculum and to avoid (allegedly) confusing detours in dialogic sequences.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Mr Maliki's withdrawal "will allow the crucial process to form a new government to proceed swiftly".

BBC

Unlike that of Prince George, this delivery appeared to proceed swiftly.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Rudi was to get in next to the driver, and the car would then proceed swiftly to the control post at the first barrier, a barbed-wire fence.

The New Yorker

If there is a gap between your salary and theirs, note this down and then proceed swiftly to the nearest HR department to politely ask what they intend to do about it.

The Guardian

Ipsa will set to work immediately and we expect they will proceed swiftly to put these changes into effect".

The Guardian

This development is ironic, as efforts proceed swiftly to develop high-throughput assays in mammalian cells (Kavlock et al. 2008; Westerink et al. 2010).

Environmental Health Perspectives

We do not believe that this case merits having Congress reopen now the issue of possibly resurrecting that law, an effort that would only lead to partisan fistfights and would delay an investigation that should proceed swiftly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to proceed swiftly", ensure the context supports the need for speed. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily rushed or frantic. Consider alternative phrasings for varied pacing.

Common error

A common mistake is using "swiftly" when "efficiently" or "effectively" would be more appropriate. "Swiftly" emphasizes speed, while efficiency focuses on minimizing wasted resources and effectiveness centers on achieving the desired outcome. Ensure speed is the key element you want to highlight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to proceed swiftly" functions as an infinitive phrase. It primarily acts as an adverbial modifier, describing how an action should be carried out. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies verbs related to processes and actions, emphasizing the importance of speed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to proceed swiftly" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to emphasize the need for promptness in action. As indicated by Ludwig, it's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, demonstrating a neutral to slightly formal register. Alternatives like "to advance rapidly" or "to move ahead quickly" can offer similar meanings, while considering the specific nuance you wish to convey. Using "swiftly" appropriately is key, as it should genuinely reflect the necessity of speed, distinguishing it from mere efficiency or effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to advance rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of advancement, implying significant progress in a short time.

to move ahead quickly

Focuses on the forward movement and the pace at which it occurs. "Move ahead quickly" is a very similar option, only differing in word choice.

to act expeditiously

More formal, highlighting efficiency and promptness in taking action. It is more suitable for professional environments.

to make haste

An older, more literary phrase emphasizing urgency and speed in action. "Make haste" carries a sense of immediate action.

to fast-track

Implies accelerating a process or project, often bypassing standard procedures. "Fast-track" emphasizes the acceleration itself.

to accelerate progress

Focuses specifically on increasing the rate of progress. "Accelerate progress" is directly about speeding up advancement.

to expedite the process

Highlights speeding up a particular procedure or set of actions. "Expedite the process" implies removing obstacles to ensure faster completion.

to push forward decisively

Emphasizes both the speed and the determination with which an action is pursued. "Push forward decisively" adds an element of strong intent.

to implement rapidly

Focuses on the swift application or execution of a plan or decision. "Implement rapidly" is about quick execution after planning.

to get a move on

An informal idiom urging someone to hurry. "Get a move on" is a colloquial way to tell someone to hurry.

FAQs

How can I use "to proceed swiftly" in a sentence?

You can use "to proceed swiftly" when you need to emphasize the importance of acting or moving forward quickly. For example, "The board decided to proceed swiftly with the merger to avoid further delays."

What are some alternatives to "to proceed swiftly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to advance rapidly", "to move ahead quickly", or "to act expeditiously", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "to proceed swiftly" formal or informal?

"To proceed swiftly" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal options might include "to hurry up" or "to get a move on", while more formal options could be "to act expeditiously".

How does "to proceed swiftly" differ from "to proceed efficiently"?

"To proceed swiftly" emphasizes speed, indicating that an action should be taken quickly. "To proceed efficiently", on the other hand, focuses on minimizing wasted resources and effort. So, while you might want to "to proceed swiftly" in an emergency, it's more important "to proceed efficiently" when planning a budget.