Just like that vs Quickly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Just like that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Quickly
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Most formal: QuicklyMost common: Quickly
| Just like that | Quickly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dʒʌst laɪk ðæt//🇺🇸 //dʒʌst laɪk ðæt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwɪkli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwɪkli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Suddenly or easily without effort. | In a fast manner |
| Example | He finished his homework, and just like that, he was free to play. | She ran quickly to catch the bus. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | just like that, just like magic, just like before | move quickly, react quickly, think quickly |
| Antonyms | - | slowly |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal contexts where a more precise phrase is needed., Confused with similar phrases like 'just so' which means 'exactly like this'. | Using 'quick' instead of 'quickly' when modifying a verb., Placing 'quickly' too far from the verb it modifies., Confusing 'quickly' with 'fastly' since 'fast' is the correct adverb. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversation to indicate something occurs quickly or unexpectedly. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'quickly' when describing how something is done fast. Appropriate in both spoken and written English, but may be overly formal in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Just like that vs Quickly
What's the difference between Just like that and Quickly?
Just like that: Suddenly or easily without effort. Quickly: In a fast manner
Which is more formal: Just like that and Quickly?
Quickly is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Just like that and Quickly?
Quickly is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Just like that: He finished his homework, and just like that, he was free to play. Quickly: She ran quickly to catch the bus.
Can I use Just like that and Quickly interchangeably?
Not always. Just like that and Quickly 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.