Cool MateAs fast as he could vs As quickly as possible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
As fast as he could
Top 3,000 (common)
As quickly as possible
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: As quickly as possible
| As fast as he could | As quickly as possible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //æz fæst æz hi kʊd//🇺🇸 //æz fæst æz hi kʊd// | 🇬🇧 //əz ˈkwɪkli əz ˈpɒsəbl//🇺🇸 //əz ˈkwɪkli əz ˈpɑsəbl// |
| Meaning | as quickly as he was able to go | Do something as fast as you can. |
| Example | He ran away from the dog as fast as he could. | Please finish the report as quickly as possible. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | run as fast as he could, do as fast as he could, leave as fast as he could | act as quickly as possible, respond as quickly as possible, complete as quickly as possible |
| Antonyms | slowly, leisurely, gradually | - |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'as' and saying 'fast he could', Using with non-action verbs, like 'think' instead of 'run', Misplacing the phrase in the sentence structure | Saying 'as quick as possible' instead of 'as quickly as possible'., Using it in overly casual settings, where a simpler phrase may be better., Misplacing it in the sentence's structure, confusing the flow. |
| Usage notes | Used when emphasizing speed. Commonly used in storytelling or when discussing urgent actions. Avoid in very formal contexts. | Use this phrase in both spoken and written English when emphasizing urgency. It's appropriate in most contexts but can sound slightly formal in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: As fast as he could vs As quickly as possible
What's the difference between As fast as he could and As quickly as possible?
As fast as he could: as quickly as he was able to go As quickly as possible: Do something as fast as you can.
Which is more common: As fast as he could and As quickly as possible?
As quickly as possible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
As fast as he could: He ran away from the dog as fast as he could. As quickly as possible: Please finish the report as quickly as possible.
Can I use As fast as he could and As quickly as possible interchangeably?
Not always. As fast as he could and As quickly as possible are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.