Are you trying to figure out whether you should say “quicker” or “more quickly”? Knowing the difference between them is essential if you want to speak and write correctly.
In this article, we will explain the grammatical structure of each word, provide examples of how they are used in sentences, and discuss when it is appropriate to use each one.
Finally, we will cover some common mistakes made when using these words.
Key Takeaways
- ‘Quicker’ is an adverb that modifies an adjective, verb, or another adverb, while ‘more quickly’ is an adverb phrase made up of two words.
- Both ‘quicker’ and ‘more quickly’ can be used interchangeably in many contexts.
- ‘Quicker’ is used to compare two actions and indicate which one takes less time, while ‘more quickly’ is used to compare one person or thing to itself over a period of time.
- ‘Quicker’ describes a specific speed that is faster than another, while ‘more quickly’ implies that a person or thing has increased its speed from one moment to the next.
The Grammatical Structure of Quicker and More Quickly
You’re probably wondering what the difference is between ‘quicker’ and ‘more quickly’, grammatically speaking.
Quicker is an adverb that modifies an adjective, verb, or another adverb; it means ‘more quickly.’
More quickly, on the other hand, is an adverb phrase made up of two words. It refers to a higher level of speed than quicker.
While both phrases can be used interchangeably in many contexts, using more quickly often implies a greater degree of urgency or intensity.
For example, you might say “I need to finish this project more quickly” if you are running out of time and need to work at a faster pace than usual.
Examples of Quicker and More Quickly in Sentences
Using ‘quicker’ or ‘more quickly’ can make a big impact on written communication. The two words are used to indicate speed in different ways, and understanding the difference between them is important.
Here are five examples of uses for each word:
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Quicker is an adjective that refers to something happening at a faster rate than usual. For example, ‘I need to find a quicker way to get there.’
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More quickly is an adverb modifying the verb in the sentence. For example, ‘He ran more quickly than expected.’
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Quicker can also be used as an adverb. For example, ‘We need to work quicker if we want to finish by 5pm.’
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More quickly can also be used as an adjective. For example, ‘This machine works more quickly than the previous model.’
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Finally, both words can be combined when describing how something will happen faster than before. For example, ‘I’m going to run more quickly this time around.’
Knowing when and how to use these two terms correctly helps ensure effective communication of ideas and information.
When to Use Quicker and More Quickly
Knowing when to use "quicker" and "more quickly" is key for effective communication.
"Quicker" is an adverb that compares two actions, indicating which one takes less time. It’s used in questions, as well as statements. For example: "Did he get here quicker than me?" or "I completed the task quicker than usual."
On the other hand, "more quickly" is an adverb phrase that’s used in comparisons, but only in affirmative sentences. For instance: "I ran more quickly this time," or "He finished his work more quickly than I did."
To help you choose between them, remember that "quicker" should be used only when comparing two people or things. "More quickly" should be used if comparing one person or thing to itself over a period of time.
The Difference Between Quicker and More Quickly
Comparing the two adverbs, ‘quicker’ is used when comparing two people or things while ‘more quickly’ is used to compare one person or thing to itself over a period of time.
Quicker implies a comparison between individuals and more quickly speaks to changes in speed of a single individual.
To better understand the difference, consider these points:
- quicker describes a specific speed that is faster than another
- more quickly implies that a person or thing has increased its speed from one moment to the next
- quicker can be used for comparisons with past events
- more quickly refers only to present activities
- quicker emphasizes relative speed differences while more quickly focuses on absolute speeds.
Common Mistakes With Quicker and More Quickly
Mixing up ‘quicker’ and ‘more quickly’ is a common mistake. The two terms are not interchangeable, despite their similar meaning.
‘Quicker’ is an adverb meaning faster than usual, while ‘more quickly’ is an adverbial phrase that requires the use of another word to complete its meaning.
For example, if one wanted to say ‘She ran more quickly,’ they must add a comparison such as ‘than before’ or ‘than him,’ in order for the phrase to make sense.
Therefore, when speaking about something happening more rapidly, it’s important to choose either ‘quicker’ or ‘more quickly’, depending on context.
To avoid making mistakes with these two words, consider the situation carefully and refer to this guide if needed!
Conclusion
No matter what you’re writing, it’s important to understand the difference between ‘quicker’ and ‘more quickly’.
While both are valid adverbs used to describe how something is done, they have different grammatical structures.
Quicker is an adverb of manner while more quickly is an adverb of degree.
Knowing when to use each one correctly will ensure your writing is accurate and precise.
So remember: quicker describes how something is done while more quickly describes how much faster it was done.