very promptly

USAGE SUMMARY

"very promptly' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to emphasize that something happened immediately or in a short amount of time. For example: He responded to my email very promptly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

No. 3, return your calls very promptly.

The New York Times

Muslims accord a great respect to dead bodies, which have to be disposed of very promptly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"But by and large, the government pays its bills very promptly".

The New York Times

The bills reflect the number of residents living in each house and are collected by the government agencies very promptly.

The Economist

"I was like, Oh, my God!" said George Barnes, who ran out to her. "She very promptly told me to get off the field".

The New York Times - Sports

"Whenever the government realized that some untoward incidents had taken place... the government acted very promptly and warned the local authorities".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Any time an associate raises a concern, we take it very seriously, promptly investigate the situation and follow as appropriate," the company said.

The New York Times

And my passport, this very passport, was promptly yanked, and I was summarily grounded.

The New York Times

He rented the apartment that very day and promptly moved in, eventually to be joined by Stanley, a Boston terrier.

The New York Times

Having been to a Lee Strasberg summer school at 14, she got her Screen Actors Guild membership very young, and promptly left school for a part in a horror movie, Eyes Of A Stranger, six weeks before her graduation.

The Guardian - Film

Early diagnosing of pneumonia is very important to promptly starting the treatment; otherwise, it can be life-threatening or associated with high morbidity particularly in critically ill patients who need immediate decision.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very promptly" to emphasize not only speed but also a sense of efficiency and attentiveness in responding to a request or situation.

Common error

While "very promptly" effectively conveys speed, avoid using it repetitively in a single text. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "quickly" or "immediately" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "very promptly" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or entire clauses, emphasizing the speed and immediacy of an action. This usage is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, highlighting its role in indicating swift responses or actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "very promptly" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize the speed and efficiency of an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal settings. While it effectively conveys urgency, varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "quickly" or "immediately" can enhance writing quality. Given its widespread use and clear meaning, "very promptly" remains a valuable tool for conveying attentiveness and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very speedily

Substitutes "promptly" with "speedily", maintaining a similar level of formality.

extremely quickly

Replaces "promptly" with a synonym focusing on speed, but might sound slightly less formal.

without delay

Highlights the absence of any waiting time, stressing immediacy.

instantaneously

Highlights that something occurs without any delay. It is also used to stress immediacy.

with rapid dispatch

Adds a formal tone and underscores the efficiency and speed of handling something.

with great haste

Emphasizes the urgency and speed of the action, adding a more dramatic tone.

at once

A slightly more formal alternative that underscores the immediate nature of the action.

in short order

Implies that something is done quickly and efficiently, adding a sense of ease.

with no hesitation

Emphasizes the decisiveness and speed of the action, suggesting a lack of doubt.

right away

A more informal way of saying "immediately", suitable for casual contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "very promptly" in a sentence?

You can use "very promptly" to describe actions that are completed with both speed and efficiency. For example, "The customer service team responded to my inquiry "very promptly"."

What are some alternatives to "very promptly"?

Alternatives to "very promptly" include "speedily", "immediately", or "without delay". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "very promptly"? Does "promptly" already imply speed?

While "promptly" does imply speed, adding "very" emphasizes the immediacy and efficiency of the action. Saying "very promptly" can reinforce the idea that something was done not only quickly, but also with great attentiveness.

Which is more formal: "very promptly" or "immediately"?

"Very promptly" tends to be slightly more formal than "immediately". While both convey a sense of urgency, "very promptly" often suggests a higher degree of professionalism and efficiency.