very swiftly

USAGE SUMMARY

"very swiftly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to demonstrate how quickly something is happening or to emphasize the speed of an action. For example: "The prince ran very swiftly across the castle grounds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"H.P. moved very swiftly, to their credit," Mr. Patterson said.

The New York Times

The Villa manager said: "We acted very swiftly.

The Guardian - Sport

In those terms, the story is very swiftly assembled.

The Guardian - Books

"We're going to act very swiftly and very strongly to protect homeowners".

The New York Times

"No one was able to jump out because it overturned very swiftly.

Independent

That question was very swiftly answered, because she was still a relentless advocate for the taxpayer".

The New Yorker

I wrote that final section very swiftly; it came to me all at once.

The New Yorker

He said it happened very swiftly, catching the president by surprise.

The Guardian

Slowly, they are drained of their strength, and then very swiftly dispatched.

The Guardian - Sport

Those with terminal illnesses were dealt with very swiftly, said Penning.

The Guardian

However, in many places the fauna and flora regenerate very swiftly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very swiftly", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired tone. It's particularly effective in formal writing or when emphasizing the speed of a reaction or process. Replace "very swiftly" with "rapidly" or "quickly" in informal situations.

Common error

While "very swiftly" emphasizes speed, overusing adverbs can weaken writing. Instead of always relying on adverbs, strengthen the verb itself. For example, instead of "He moved very swiftly", try "He sprinted".

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "very swiftly" functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or clauses, emphasizing the speed and promptness of an action or event. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing quick reactions and decisive movements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverbial phrase "very swiftly" is a common and grammatically correct way to emphasize the speed and promptness of an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "very quickly" or "very rapidly" exist, "very swiftly" maintains a level of formality suitable for neutral registers. While the phrase is prevalent across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, writers should avoid overusing adverbs and consider more direct verbs for concise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very rapidly

Emphasizes the quick pace or acceleration of an action or event.

very quickly

Highlights the short amount of time taken for something to happen.

very speedily

Similar to 'rapidly' and 'quickly', stressing the fast nature of the occurrence.

very promptly

Focuses on the immediacy and lack of delay in responding or acting.

with great haste

Implies urgency and speed, often suggesting a rushed manner.

in short order

Indicates that something is done or achieved quickly and efficiently.

at warp speed

Suggests an extremely high speed, often used figuratively.

without delay

Highlights the lack of any pause or waiting period.

in a flash

Emphasizes how quickly something occurs, almost instantaneously.

in the blink of an eye

Stresses the instantaneous nature of an event.

FAQs

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

You can use "very swiftly" to describe actions that happen quickly and efficiently. For example, "The company moved "very swiftly" to address the customer's concerns".

What are some alternatives to "very swiftly"?

Some alternatives include "very rapidly", "very quickly", or "very speedily", each emphasizing the speed of an action.

Is it better to say "very swiftly" or "swiftly"?

The choice depends on the desired emphasis. "Swiftly" implies quickness, while "very swiftly" intensifies that quickness. However, avoid redundancy; sometimes "swiftly" alone is sufficient.

What's the difference between "very swiftly" and "immediately"?

"Very swiftly" emphasizes the speed of an action, while "immediately" stresses the lack of delay. You might react "very swiftly" to a problem, but respond "immediately" to a request.