Literary notes about promptly (AI summary)
In literature, the adverb "promptly" is often used to underscore actions carried out without delay, imbuing scenes with a sense of urgency and immediacy. It frequently appears in dialogue and narrative to indicate that characters respond immediately to stimuli or commands, whether it’s a quick remark in conversation ([1], [2], [3]) or the swift execution of orders and decisions ([4], [5], [6]). At times, it highlights the natural rhythm of events—suggesting that certain responses, like reacting to a sudden circumstance or fulfilling an expected duty, occur as a matter of course ([7], [8]). Moreover, "promptly" can reinforce a character’s reliability or the mechanical precision of an action, serving both functional and stylistic roles within the text ([9], [10]).
- The elderly lady spoke up promptly saying, "Oh yes, I have; many more."
— from Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete by Ulysses S. Grant - "I am," said Sara, promptly, when she heard of this.
— from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - "I could work and pay that every year," said Tom, promptly.
— from The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot - But instead, she just promptly carried out the order he had given her.
— from The Trial by Franz Kafka - We shall be always happy to hear from you, and will promptly fill any further orders.
— from The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness by Cecil B. Hartley - You will move against the enemy with your entire force promptly and with all possible vigor at precisely 4 o'clock A.M. to-morrow the 12th inst.
— from Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete by Ulysses S. Grant - It will be observed that sound is more promptly reacted on than either sight or touch.
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James - She felt, however, that it must be ended as promptly as possible.
— from The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton - He dropped his load promptly on the floor and hurried to her side to see.
— from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce - Its function is the same as that of an adverb ( promptly ) or an adverbial phrase ( on the stroke of the bell ).
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge