To inspire their readers to quick action, many writers use this sluggish phrase:
in a timely manner
For example, "Please contact these clients in a timely manner."
But "in a timely manner" is 15 letters, 6 syllables, 4 words. That’s way too long and plodding to inspire promptness. No, it’s not as bad as the vague, laboring "at your earliest convenience." But it plods along just ahead of it.
If you are a lover of "in a timely manner," notice how these alternatives stack up to your favored phrase:
fast
soon
today
swiftly
quickly
on time
at once
speedily
in a jiffy
promptly
efficiently
right away
immediately
expeditiously
straight away
in a timely manner
Why not try one of them . . . soon?
Lynn
Syntax Training
