15 Other Ways To Say “ASAP” (With Examples)

In today’s fast-paced world, “ASAP” is a go-to phrase for urgency, but overusing it can feel impersonal or abrupt. Finding other ways to say “ASAP” allows you to adapt your tone while still emphasizing quick action.

This guide offers 15 alternatives, from polite options like “At your earliest convenience” to direct ones like “Immediately,” helping you strike the perfect balance between urgency and professionalism. Whether you’re writing an email or texting a friend, these phrases will enhance your communication and keep your message clear and considerate. Let’s explore smarter ways to convey urgency!

What Does “ASAP” Mean?

The acronym ASAP stands for “As Soon As Possible.” It is widely used across various fields to express urgency, ensuring that the task or response takes priority over other matters. While it is efficient and universally understood, it can sometimes come across as overly demanding, especially in written communication.

What To Say Instead of “ASAP”

Here’s a deeper dive into the meaning and context of each alternative phrase and usage.

Here is the list of the 15 phrases mentioned above:

1. Immediately
2. At Your Earliest Convenience
3. As Soon As You Can
4. Urgently
5. Right Away
6. Without Delay
7. Promptly
8. By the Earliest Opportunity
9. At Once
10. On the Double
11. With All Haste
12. Pronto
13. Posthaste
14. Time is of the Essence
15. Without Any Hesitation

1. Immediately

“Immediately” is an adverb that means “at once or without delay.” It conveys the highest level of urgency and leaves no room for ambiguity. Use this word when time is critical and an action is needed without hesitation.

Example:

• “The client just flagged a major issue in the report. Please address it immediately.”
• “The server is down, and customers are reporting issues. Restart the system immediately.”

2. At Your Earliest Convenience

“At your earliest convenience” is a polite phrase that means “as soon as it is possible for you to do so.” It softens the urgency by respecting the recipient’s time and schedule, making it ideal for formal or professional communication.

Example:

• “Can you review the attached proposal at your earliest convenience and let me know your thoughts?”
• “At your earliest convenience, could you provide me with the data from last quarter?”

3. As Soon As You Can

“As soon as you can” is an approachable and informal phrase that means “when you are able to do it quickly.” It is less demanding than “ASAP” and is often used in casual or semi-formal contexts.

Example:

• “We need your feedback on the design as soon as you can so we can finalize it by tomorrow.”
• “The draft is almost ready, but we need your approval as soon as you can.”

4. Urgently

“Urgently” is an adverb that means “in a way that necessitates immediate action or attention.” Put simply, if you require something completed with a sense of urgency, then you’d make the request by using the word urgently.

Example:

• “The situation has escalated, and we need to respond urgently to minimize damage.”
• “The team has raised a funding issue that needs to be addressed urgently.”

5. Right Away

“Right away” is an informal phrase that means “immediately or without hesitation.” It is friendly and direct, making it suitable for spoken or casual written communication.

Example:

• “We’ve hit a snag with the presentation. Could you fix the formatting right away?”
• “The printer ran out of paper. Could you refill it right away so we can print these documents?”

Related Posts: 15 Other Ways to Say “Can’t Wait” (With Examples)

6. Without Delay

“Without delay” is a formal phrase that means “as quickly as possible, with no postponement.” It is often used in professional writing when emphasizing the importance of prompt action.

Example:

• “The shipment hasn’t arrived. Please escalate the issue without delay.”
• “We need to finalize the budget. Submit your department’s figures without delay.”

7. Promptly

“Promptly” is an adverb that means “quickly and on time, without hesitation.” It is polite and professional, making it ideal for workplace settings.

Example:

• “The CEO has requested the latest sales report. Please send it over promptly.”
• “Ensure that all client emails are responded to promptly to maintain good relationships.”

8. By the Earliest Opportunity

“By the earliest opportunity” is a formal expression meaning “at the first chance available.” It balances urgency with respect for the recipient’s current priorities.

Example:

• “Could you share your feedback on the document by the earliest opportunity?”
• “We noticed an error in the contract. Please address it by the earliest opportunity.”

9. At Once

“At once” is a direct phrase that means “immediately or without any delay.” It is concise and impactful, making it effective for urgent situations.

Example:

• “This customer complaint needs urgent attention. Please contact them at once.”
• “The shipment has arrived damaged. File a report with the courier at once.”

10. On the Double

“On the double” is an informal expression that means “very quickly, without wasting time.” It has a playful tone and is often used in casual or team-oriented settings.

Example:

• “We’re running late for the meeting. Finish up your notes on the double!”
• “The new equipment just arrived. Set it up on the double so we can test it today.”

Related Posts: 15 Other Ways to Say “I Look Forward to Meeting You” (With Examples)

11. With All Haste

“With all haste” is a formal phrase meaning “as quickly as possible, with great urgency.” It is particularly effective in written communication that demands attention to the speed of action.

Example:

• “Please send the contract revisions with all haste to meet the client’s deadline.”
• “The shipment must reach the customer with all haste to prevent further complaints.”

12. Pronto

“Pronto” is a casual term borrowed from Italian, meaning “quickly or without delay.” It adds a friendly tone while maintaining a sense of urgency.

Example:

• “We’ve got a deadline coming up. Finish that report pronto!”
• “The boss is asking for you. Head to her office pronto!”

13. Posthaste

“Posthaste” is an old-fashioned yet formal expression that means “as quickly as possible.” It carries a literary tone, making it unique and charming in certain contexts.

Example:

• “Please provide the revised designs posthaste so we can proceed with the production.”
• “The legal team has requested clarification on this matter. Kindly respond posthaste.”

14. Time is of the Essence

“Time is of the essence” is a formal phrase that emphasizes the critical importance of acting quickly. It is often used in legal or business contexts where delays could have significant consequences.

Example:

• “Time is of the essence in this contract, so ensure all deliverables are met by the deadline.”
• “Time is of the essence for resolving this dispute to avoid further financial losses.”

15. Without Any Hesitation

“Without any hesitation” is a phrase that means “acting immediately and decisively.” It conveys a strong sense of urgency while maintaining a professional tone.

Example:

• “If you notice any safety concerns, report them without any hesitation.”
• “If the client asks for clarification, provide the details without any hesitation.”

Conclusion

Overusing the term “ASAP” can make your communication feel repetitive or overly insistent. By discovering other ways to say ASAP, you can maintain the urgency of your message while adding variety and nuance to your expression. From phrases like “right now” to “without delay,” choosing fresh alternatives ensures your tone fits the context—whether professional, casual, or urgent. This guide from Other Ways To Say equips you with practical options to express immediacy effectively, enhancing your communication style with clarity and creativity. Let’s explore how to replace “ASAP” with smarter choices.