Cool MateInstantly vs Quickly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Instantly
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B2adverb
Quickly
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Most common: Quickly
| Instantly | Quickly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnstəntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnstəntli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwɪkli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwɪkli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Right away, without waiting. | In a fast manner |
| Example | Her voice is instantly recognizable. | She ran quickly to catch the bus. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | instantly available, instantly recognizable, instantly regret, instantly noticeable | move quickly, react quickly, think quickly |
| Antonyms | gradually, slowly, eventually | slowly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'instantly' with past tense incorrectly, e.g., 'I instantly saw' instead of 'I saw instantly'., Confusing it with 'immediately' when the emphasis on speed differs., Forgetting to use it with an action verb. | 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 | Use 'instantly' in both spoken and written English to emphasize immediate action. It's appropriate in most contexts but less common in very casual conversations. | 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: Instantly vs Quickly
What's the difference between Instantly and Quickly?
Instantly: Right away, without waiting. Quickly: In a fast manner
Which is more common: Instantly and Quickly?
Quickly is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Instantly and Quickly?
Instantly is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Instantly and Quickly the same CEFR level?
Instantly: B2, Quickly: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Instantly and Quickly?
Instantly: adverb, Quickly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Instantly: Her voice is instantly recognizable. Quickly: She ran quickly to catch the bus.
Can I use Instantly and Quickly interchangeably?
Not always. Instantly 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.