Cool MateIt was very fast vs Quick
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It was very fast
Top 1,000 (very common)
Quick
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
| It was very fast | Quick | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt wəz ˈvɛri fæst//🇺🇸 //ɪt wəz ˈvɛri fæst// | 🇬🇧 /["/kwɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kwɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | It happened quickly. | happening fast or in a short time |
| Example | The cheetah was very fast when chasing its prey. | She took a quick glance at the clock. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | very fast pace, very fast speed, very fast response | be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, quick and easy, be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, quick and easy, be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, quick and easy |
| Antonyms | - | slow, leisurely |
| Common mistakes | Using it with 'too' - 'It was too fast' could imply negativity., Confusing with 'fastly' - 'Fast' is the correct adverb here. | Confused with 'fast' — while similar, 'quick' often implies a short duration., Using 'quicker' instead of 'more quick' — 'quick' forms a comparative like 'quicker'., Mixing up noun and adjective forms; remember 'quick' is an adjective. |
| Usage notes | Use to describe something that happens quickly. Avoid informal settings where a tighter description might be better. | Used to describe actions or things that happen with speed. Avoid using in very formal situations; instead, use 'rapid' or 'swift'. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: It was very fast vs Quick
What's the difference between It was very fast and Quick?
It was very fast: It happened quickly. Quick: happening fast or in a short time
Can you show an example of each?
It was very fast: The cheetah was very fast when chasing its prey. Quick: She took a quick glance at the clock.
Can I use It was very fast and Quick interchangeably?
Not always. It was very fast and Quick 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.