walking swiftly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "walking swiftly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone moving quickly on foot, often implying a sense of purpose or urgency. Example: "She was walking swiftly to catch the bus before it left the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Fatal Barrage But a moment later, he said, Mr. Loughner was back, walking swiftly past him, eyes steeled, heading for the table where Ms. Giffords was speaking.

The New York Times

Fire walking takes several forms, the most common being the practice of walking swiftly over a layer of embers spread thinly along the bottom of a shallow trench.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Turning, I saw Poplavskaya walking swiftly in my direction bearing a large suitcase in each hand, her carry-on bag slung over a shoulder.

The New Yorker

Television images of Kerviel in Italy showed him wearing a red jacket and red backpack, walking swiftly and trying to ignore the numerous journalists trailing him.

The Guardian - Business

When I asked Homstol what that behavior meant, she said, walking swiftly toward her truck, "I have no idea, and I don't want to stick around to find out".

The New York Times - Magazine

Speaking in the presidential ballroom of his new luxury hotel in Washington, Trump boasted about his new establishment, trotted out over a half-dozen generals to fawn over him and then almost casually remarked that he now thinks the president was born in the US, before walking swiftly away in what bore more resemblance to a dog and pony show than a campaign event.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Svetlana walked swiftly ahead to escape the conversation.

The New Yorker

Here's a message for you.' I walked swiftly forward.

The New York Times

Adjust sunglasses, walk swiftly through Gaby, on the right, and exit on 45th Street.

The New York Times

Seacrest walked swiftly through the parking lot, but was repeatedly stopped by fans.

The New York Times - Magazine

Once through, I was able to walk swiftly down the road and to safety.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walking swiftly" when you want to convey not just speed, but also a sense of purpose or determination in someone's gait. It adds a touch more formality than "walking quickly".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "walking swiftly" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. In such situations, opt for alternatives like "walking fast" or "walking quickly" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walking swiftly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, describing the manner in which someone walks. It adds detail to the action, specifying the speed and often implying purpose. Ludwig AI agrees this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "walking swiftly" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe moving quickly on foot with a sense of purpose. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. While the phrase is not overly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, lending a slightly formal tone. For more casual settings, alternatives like "walking quickly" or "walking fast" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "walking swiftly" when you want to emphasize both speed and intention, avoiding overuse in very informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

walking quickly

A more common and straightforward way to describe fast walking.

walking briskly

Implies a lively and energetic pace, often for exercise or purpose.

walking rapidly

Focuses on the high speed of the walking.

stepping quickly

Focuses on the action of taking steps with speed.

moving swiftly on foot

Adds emphasis on the mode of transportation being walking.

hastening along

Suggests urgency or a need to arrive promptly.

speed walking

Refers to a specific technique of walking at a fast pace.

progressing rapidly

Highlights the speed of advancement or movement.

advancing swiftly

Emphasizes forward movement with speed.

making rapid progress on foot

More detailed description of speedy movement by walking.

FAQs

What does "walking swiftly" mean?

The phrase "walking swiftly" means to walk at a fast pace or quickly. It suggests not just speed, but also purpose or determination in the way someone is walking. It's slightly more formal than saying someone is "walking quickly".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "walking swiftly"?

Use "walking swiftly" in situations where you want to convey a sense of purpose, urgency, or formality. It is appropriate for descriptive writing where a character's manner of movement is important, or in news reporting where accuracy and a slightly formal tone is needed. It may be less appropriate in very casual conversations where "walking fast" or "walking quickly" sound more natural.

Are there synonyms for "walking swiftly" that I can use?

Yes, several synonyms can replace "walking swiftly" depending on the context. Some alternatives include "walking briskly", "walking rapidly", or "moving swiftly on foot".

How does "walking swiftly" differ from "walking quickly"?

While both phrases describe walking at a fast pace, "walking swiftly" implies a greater sense of purpose, determination, or formality than "walking quickly". "Walking swiftly" suggests a focused and efficient movement, while "walking quickly" is a more general description of speed.