Fast vs. Quick vs. Quickly: Spot the Difference!

Learning English can be tricky, especially when words like fast, quick, and quickly seem so similar. What’s the difference between quick and fast? When do you use quickly? And what about comparatives, like quicker or more quickly? 

Let’s break it all down with clear explanations, examples, and a handy table to make things easier.

Table of Differences: Fast, Quick, and Quickly

Quick vs. Fast: What's the Difference?

The difference lies in the context:

• Fast is used for speed or motion. It can describe both a noun (adjective) or an action (adverb).
  Examples:
  • "The horse is fast." (Adjective: The horse moves at a high speed.)
  • "He runs fast." (Adverb: Describes how he runs.)
• Quick refers to something that takes a short time or happens rapidly. It only works as an adjective.
  
  Examples:
  • "Let’s have a quick chat before we go." (The chat will not take long.)
  • "I need a quick answer to this question." (A short, prompt reply is needed.)

Quick vs. Quickly: Is Quickly an Adjective or Adverb?

Here’s where people often mix things up. The answer is simple: Quickly is an adverb.

It describes how an action is done. For example:

• "She finished the task quickly." (Describes how she finished the task.)

If you’re describing a noun, you must use quick instead:

• "She gave a quick response." (Describes the noun: response.)

Quicker vs. Faster: When to Use Them

It depends on the context:

• Use quicker to describe actions that happen in less time.
  Example: "The quicker method saved us 10 minutes." (Focuses on time.)
• Use faster when talking about speed.
  Example: "This car is faster than the previous model." (Focuses on motion.)

Quicker or More Quickly: Which One?

Both are correct, but their usage depends on the sentence structure:

• Use quicker when describing a noun.
  Example: "The quicker solution worked better." (Adjective describing solution.)
• Use more quickly when describing a verb.
  Example: "She finished the task more quickly than expected." (Adverb describing finished.)

Tips for Using Fast, Quick, and Quickly Correctly

1. Context is Key:
   • Use fast for speed.
   • Use quick for brevity.
   • Use quickly for manner.
2. Practice Common Expressions:
   • "She runs fast."
   • "I need a quick break."
   • "He quickly answered the phone."
3. Avoid Common Errors:
   • Always say too fast, not to fast (fun fact: to fast, with this spelling,  is the infinitive form of a verb meaning to abstain from food on purpose).
   • Don’t confuse quicker with more quickly.
4. Practice with Comparisons:
   • Try making sentences with quicker and faster to strengthen your understanding.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between quick and fast and knowing when to use quickly doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you’ll feel more confident using these words in your conversations and writing.

And if you are interested in learning more about English grammar, here is our article about phrasal verbs with the verb Get.