unexpectedly quick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpectedly quick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened faster than anticipated or without prior warning. Example: "The project's completion was unexpectedly quick, surprising the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Tens of millions of Indonesians fell below the poverty line.Recovery was unexpectedly quick.

The Economist

General Garner was referring to a side effect of the war's unexpectedly quick end.

The New York Times

Injuries and unexpectedly quick recoveries have forced major reorderings of repertory and performers from day to day.

The New York Times - Arts

Six weeks ago it happened here in Georgia with the unexpectedly quick ouster of Eduard A. Shevardnadze from the presidency, driven by public fury over a parliamentary election that people were convinced he had stolen from them.

The New York Times

He authored the decision that struck down key parts of the Defense of Marriage Act in June 2013, but in this and other decisions used language that has left the issue open – which is part of the reason why the landscape for marriage rights has changed at an unexpectedly quick rate with the Doma decision.

The Guardian

The day built to an unexpectedly quick first climax, when the Israeli journalists accompanying Mr. Barak were ordered in the afternoon to rush to their hotels for a security check so that their luggage could be shuttled to Andrews Air Force Base for an 8 p.m. departure for Tel Aviv.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

When Myanmar teenager Htet Htet recently came out as transgender, the reaction was unexpectedly cruel and quick.

Vice

The other deities in Jim's universe are the three uncles who during the course of this quick and unexpectedly elegant fable teach Jim everything he needs to know.

The New York Times - Books

Unexpectedly, we found very quick clearance of mean plasma MR-proANP, i.e. by 1 h post-exercise, and mean plasma LDH was not significantly different from baseline at any time post-exercise.

American Journal of Human Biology

For instance, you may have the master volume unexpectedly jumping to maximum volume for a quick second, or cutting out completely.

WikiHow

When the president called on Ms. Ignagni unexpectedly at a White House meeting in March, she was quick to reassure him, "You have our commitment to play, to contribute and to pass health reform this year".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing project timelines, use "unexpectedly quick" to highlight efficient completion and emphasize a positive outcome beyond initial expectations.

Common error

In formal reports, avoid overusing "unexpectedly quick". Opt for more precise language to explain the accelerated pace, such as specifying factors that contributed to the faster completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpectedly quick" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying an adjective. It describes the manner in which something is quick, adding the nuance of surprise or lack of anticipation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this usage is both correct and well-supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unexpectedly quick" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something happening faster than anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples. While "unexpectedly quick" is most common in news and media, it maintains a neutral register applicable across various contexts. For formal or technical writing, consider more precise language. Related phrases like ""surprisingly fast"" and ""unanticipatedly rapid"" offer similar but nuanced alternatives. When employing this phrase, ensure it appropriately conveys both the speed and the element of surprise for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprisingly fast

Emphasizes the element of surprise in the speed.

unanticipatedly rapid

More formal, highlighting the lack of anticipation and the speed.

sooner than expected

Focuses on the timing relative to expectations.

more rapidly than anticipated

Highlights the rate of change exceeding expectations.

expedited unexpectedly

Suggests a process was accelerated without prior notice.

accelerated surprisingly

Focuses on the acceleration aspect with an element of surprise.

at an unforeseen pace

Highlights that the rate was not predicted.

with unforeseen speed

Focuses on the speed as the unforeseen element.

came about swiftly and surprisingly

Adds a sense of immediacy and unexpectedness.

materialized without delay

Emphasizes the lack of delay, highlighting efficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpectedly quick" in a sentence?

You can use "unexpectedly quick" to describe an event or process that happened faster than anticipated. For example, "The economic recovery was "surprisingly quick" after the initial downturn".

What are some alternatives to "unexpectedly quick"?

Alternatives include "surprisingly fast", "unanticipatedly rapid", or "sooner than expected", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "unexpectedly quick" in formal writing?

Yes, "unexpectedly quick" is generally appropriate, but consider the context. For highly formal or scientific writing, more precise and descriptive language might be preferable.

What's the difference between "unexpectedly quick" and "surprisingly quick"?

While similar, "unexpectedly quick" emphasizes a lack of anticipation, whereas ""surprisingly quick"" highlights the element of surprise. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.