was very fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was very fast" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that occurred quickly in the past. Example: "The car was very fast, easily outpacing all the others on the track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And he was very fast.

The Guardian - Film

It was very fast and crazy.

The New York Times

"When it happened, it was very fast.

The Guardian

"The race was very fast," Benhassi said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was very fast from that point".

The Guardian - Film

Everything I did was very fast".

The Guardian - Music

"It was very fast," she said of Okayo's burst.

The New York Times - Sports

"I did, and my progress was very fast.

The New York Times - Sports

I was very fast – and just in control".

The Guardian - Sport

Focusing was very fast, but sometimes struggled in lowlight situations.

The Guardian - Tech

I absolutely loved it - it was very varied and the pace was very fast.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or processes, use "was very fast" to emphasize the speed at which they occurred. This is particularly effective in narratives or reports where highlighting the rapid pace is crucial.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "very" to intensify adjectives. While "was very fast" is grammatically correct, consider using a stronger, more descriptive adjective like "rapid", "swift", or "blazing" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was very fast" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of speed or quickness. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was very fast" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adjective phrase used to describe speed or quickness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples spanning diverse contexts such as news, science, and general narratives. While versatile, remember to consider stronger adjectives for enhanced impact. By understanding its function and register, you can effectively incorporate "was very fast" into your writing to convey rapidity and momentum with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moved at a rapid pace

Emphasizes the rate of movement or progression.

proceeded with great speed

Highlights the velocity of the action.

advanced swiftly

Focuses on the quick advancement or progress.

progressed at an accelerated rate

Stresses the increasing speed of the progress.

unfolded with remarkable swiftness

Highlights how quickly something developed or happened.

happened in the blink of an eye

Emphasizes the suddenness and brevity of the event.

gained momentum quickly

Focuses on the rapid increase in force or speed.

was exceedingly swift

Uses a more formal tone to describe the speed.

developed at lightning speed

Uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate extreme rapidity.

took place in short order

Implies that something occurred quickly and efficiently.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "was very fast"?

You can use alternatives like "moved at a rapid pace", "advanced swiftly", or "progressed at an accelerated rate" depending on the context.

How can I make the phrase "was very fast" more impactful?

Instead of using the generic "was very fast", try incorporating more descriptive adjectives or adverbs that provide greater detail about the speed, such as "was incredibly swift", or "was remarkably rapid".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "was very fast"?

While grammatically correct, using "was very fast" might sometimes be less impactful than using a single, stronger adjective. For example, instead of saying "the car was very fast", you could say "the car was speedy".

What is the difference between "was very fast" and "was quite fast"?

"Was very fast" indicates a high degree of speed, whereas "was quite fast" implies a lesser degree. "Very" suggests exceptional speed, while "quite" suggests moderate speed.