Immediately vs. Quickly — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 30, 2024
Immediately implies action without any delay, while quickly suggests fast action but with some elapsed time.
Difference Between Immediately and Quickly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "immediately" connotes an action taken the instant a situation arises, with no gap between decision and execution. In contrast, "quickly" refers to doing something at a fast pace, but it doesn't specify the immediacy that "immediately" does, allowing for some lapse in time.
When instructions are to be followed immediately, it implies urgency and no tolerance for delay. Whereas, instructions to do something quickly suggest rapid action but within a reasonable timeframe, understanding that some preparation might be necessary.
In emergency contexts, "immediately" is often preferred to stress the need for instantaneous response. On the other hand, "quickly" might be used in less critical situations where speed is important but instant action is not critical.
In customer service, a promise to address an issue immediately sets the expectation of instant action, possibly within minutes. Conversely, resolving an issue quickly might imply resolution within a timeframe like an hour or a day, depending on context.
Technologically, processes described as happening immediately are often seen in real-time systems, such as real-time data processing. Meanwhile, processes that occur quickly might involve some processing time, evident in quick but not instant data analytics.
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Comparison Chart
Timeframe
No delay, action is instant.
Fast, but allows for some delay.
Urgency
Implies high urgency.
Less urgent than immediately.
Context Usage
Common in emergencies, instant tasks.
Used when speed is needed, not instant.
Expectation
Zero waiting period.
Quick action, short waiting period.
Technological Implication
Real-time operations, like streaming.
Fast operations, like quick loading.
Compare with Definitions
Immediately
Directly following an event without delay.
The CEO demanded the report be sent to him immediately.
Quickly
Doing something with speed and efficiency.
She quickly finished her homework to go out with friends.
Immediately
With no intermediary steps or pauses.
He answered the phone immediately after it rang.
Quickly
Without wasting much time.
They quickly came to a decision after the brief discussion.
Immediately
Instantaneously occurring at the moment of speaking.
I need you to stop what you're doing immediately.
Quickly
With promptness or speed in reaction.
She responded quickly to the emergency call.
Immediately
In a very direct or straightforward manner.
She immediately understood the implications of the decision.
Quickly
With a brisk pace or tempo.
He walked quickly to catch the bus.
Immediately
Without any hesitation or second thoughts.
He agreed immediately to the proposed terms.
Quickly
Happening in a short amount of time.
The team adapted quickly to the new regulations.
Immediately
Without delay.
Quickly
Quickly (Chinese: 快可立; pinyin: Kuàikělì) is one of the largest tapioca milk tea franchises in the world, with over 2000 locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Quickly is the brand name of Kuai Ke Li Enterprise Co.
Immediately
Without an intermediary; directly
The parties immediately involved in the suit.
Quickly
Moving or functioning rapidly and energetically; speedy
An animal that is quick enough to escape most predators.
Immediately
As soon as; directly
They phoned immediately they reached home.
Quickly
Learning, thinking, or understanding with speed and dexterity; bright
A quick mind.
Immediately
In an immediate manner; instantly or without delay.
I hope we can begin immediately.
Quickly
Perceiving or responding with speed and sensitivity; keen
Quick reflexes.
Immediately
Directly (as soon as), instantly, the moment that. Indicates that the independent clause describes something that occurs immediately after the dependent clause's referent does.
Quickly
Reacting immediately and sharply
A quick temper.
Immediately
In an immediate manner; without intervention of any other person or thing; proximately; directly; - opposed to mediately; as, immediately contiguous.
God's acceptance of it either immediately by himself, or mediately by the hands of the bishop.
Quickly
Occurring, achieved, or acquired in a relatively brief period of time
A quick rise through the ranks.
A quick profit.
Immediately
Without interval of time; without delay; promptly; instantly; at once.
And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Quickly
Done or occurring immediately
A quick inspection. ].
Immediately
As soon as. Cf. Directly, 8, Note.
Quickly
Rapidly; with speed; fast.
Immediately
Without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening;
He answered immediately
Found an answer straightaway
An official accused of dishonesty should be suspended forthwith
Come here now!
Quickly
Very soon.
If we go this way, we'll get there quickly.
Immediately
Near or close by;
He passed immediately behind her
Quickly
Speedily; with haste or celerity; soon; without delay; quick.
Immediately
Bearing an immediate relation;
This immediately concerns your future
Quickly
With rapid movements;
He works quickly
Quickly
With little or no delay;
The rescue squad arrived promptly
Come here, quick!
Quickly
Without taking pains;
He looked cursorily through the magazine
Common Curiosities
How do the expectations differ when told to do something immediately versus quickly?
Expectations are for instant action when told immediately, whereas quickly suggests swift action with potential short delays.
What does "immediately" imply in terms of urgency?
"Immediately" implies very high urgency, requiring action without any delay.
In which scenarios is "immediately" more appropriate than "quickly"?
"Immediately" is more appropriate in emergency or high-urgency scenarios where no delay can be afforded.
Can "quickly" ever mean the same as "immediately"?
While both imply promptness, "quickly" can involve minor delays, unlike the instant nature of "immediately."
Is "quickly" suitable for emergency instructions?
"Quickly" is suitable for urgent situations but not when an instantaneous response is required.
Can "immediately" be used in informal contexts?
Yes, "immediately" can be used informally to emphasize the need for swift, direct action.
Is "quickly" considered less urgent than "immediately"?
Yes, "quickly" is generally considered less urgent than "immediately".
How does the perception of time impact the use of "immediately" vs. "quickly"?
"Immediately" is perceived as needing action at the moment, while "quickly" allows for a rapid but brief processing time.
What impact does using "immediately" have in customer service?
It sets an expectation for immediate attention, which can enhance customer satisfaction if met.
In what contexts might "quickly" be preferable to "immediately"?
"Quickly" might be preferable in contexts where immediate action is ideal but practicalities allow for slight delays.
Can "quickly" imply efficiency as well as speed?
Yes, "quickly" often implies not just speed but also doing something efficiently.
Does "immediately" carry a tone of authority?
Yes, "immediately" often carries a tone of authority and urgency.
Are there situations where "quickly" might be misunderstood as "immediately"?
Yes, in high-stress or vague communication contexts, "quickly" might be misconstrued as "immediately", leading to confusion about urgency.
How does technology use these terms differently?
Technology uses "immediately" for real-time processes, while "quickly" is used for processes that are fast but involve some delays.
How do instructions differ when one is asked to act immediately versus quickly?
Instructions for immediate action stress no delay, while those for quick action stress rapid completion with some allowable time.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
