How to use "expeditiously"

What Does "expeditiously" Mean?

• What it expresses: Manner and time. It indicates that an action is carried out quickly and efficiently, without undue delay.
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: Primarily verbs. It can also modify entire clauses, but this is less common.
• Register: Formal

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions: Mid and final positions are the most natural. Initial position is less common but possible for emphasis.
• What it modifies and how it changes the meaning of a sentence: It modifies a verb by adding information about the manner and speed of the action. It suggests efficiency and a lack of unnecessary delay.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted for emphasis, though this is rare. It is not typically used with negation or in questions.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it in informal contexts or with verbs that inherently imply slowness or delay.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from expeditiously on Ludwig.guru.

"This is why we set them up and we have instructed them to give decisions expeditiously"." — The Guardian

"Hours later, Barack Obama signed the legislation, after saying he would "work expeditiously to ensure our national security professionals again have the full set of vital tools they need to continue protecting the country"." — The Guardian

"Yet Mr Hatoyama has made clear that he does not understand the word "expeditiously" to bind him to a specific timescale." — The Economist

"The Supreme Court showed, in the Bush-Gore stand-off of 2000, that it is capable of acting expeditiously in matters of great national importance." — The Economist

"In it, the two countries resolved to exchange enclaves "expeditiously", and India agreed to forgo compensation for the additional area going to Bangladesh." — The Economist

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/expeditiously

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
promptly	Slightly less formal than "expeditiously," but still suitable for professional contexts.
quickly	Common and versatile; appropriate for both formal and informal situations, but less emphatic than "expeditiously."
swiftly	Implies speed and grace, often used in descriptive writing or narratives.
without delay	Direct and straightforward; suitable when emphasizing the urgency of an action.
efficiently	Focuses on effectiveness and minimal waste of resources, in addition to speed.
forthwith	An archaic and very formal term, suggesting immediate action.
posthaste	An archaic term evoking a sense of great urgency and speed.

Common Mistakes

• Using "expeditiously" in casual conversation can sound overly formal and unnatural.
• Placing "expeditiously" before the auxiliary verb in a verb phrase can sound awkward.
• Learners often use more common adverbs like "quickly" or "fast" instead of "expeditiously," which is more formal and less frequently used in everyday conversation, leading to register mismatches.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
expeditiously	Modifies verbs, indicating speed and efficiency	Formal	Mid or final

FAQs

Where is the best place to put "expeditiously" in a sentence?

"Expeditiously" most naturally appears in the mid or final position of a sentence. For example, "The matter was resolved expeditiously" or "They will process your application expeditiously." Placing it at the beginning is possible for emphasis, but less common.

---

How is "expeditiously" different from a similar word like "promptly?"

While both "expeditiously" and "promptly" suggest speed, "expeditiously" implies greater efficiency and a systematic approach to avoiding delays. "Promptly" simply means without delay, whereas "expeditiously" suggests a more organized and effective process.

---

I accidentally used "quickly" instead of "expeditiously." Is this a big mistake?

Not necessarily, but it depends on the context. "Expeditiously" is more formal, so using "quickly" in a formal setting might sound slightly less polished. If you're aiming for a formal tone, remember that "expeditiously" emphasizes both speed and efficiency in a deliberate manner, making it a stronger choice in legal, official, or business contexts. Using "quickly" in these contexts is not grammatically incorrect, but there is a register mismatch.