But soon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But soon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will happen in the near future, often following a previous statement that suggests a delay or a change in circumstances. Example: "The weather was gloomy all week, but soon the sun began to shine again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But soon she emerged.

The New Yorker

But soon they will.

The Economist

"But soon," he said.

The New York Times

But soon!

The Guardian

But soon it could be.

The Economist

But soon things got darker.

The New Yorker

But soon Jason is sixteen.

The New Yorker

But soon, Boeing insists, soon.

The New York Times

But soon the formality fades.

The New York Times - Travel

But soon Soho died.

The Guardian

But soon problems arose.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "But soon" to effectively signal a change or development following a previous state or situation in your narrative or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "But soon" repeatedly within a short passage, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and predictable. Vary your transitions and temporal markers for a more engaging and sophisticated style.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "But soon" is to act as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses or sentences, indicating a contrast and a temporal sequence. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase introduce a change that will happen not so far from the initial situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "But soon" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a change or development that occurs shortly after a previously mentioned situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news media. While it's generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "however, shortly thereafter" or "nevertheless, in due course" for elevated writing. Avoid overuse and vary your transitions for a more engaging style. Remember to use "But soon" effectively to signal a shift in your narrative or explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

However, shortly thereafter

Replaces "but" with "however" for a more formal tone and specifies "shortly thereafter" for emphasis on immediacy.

Yet, before long

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and uses the idiomatic phrase "before long" to suggest an imminent event.

However, in the near future

Replaces "soon" with a more explicit time frame, emphasizing the proximity of the event.

Nevertheless, in due course

Replaces "but" with "nevertheless" to add a touch of formality and replaces "soon" with "in due course" indicating that the event will happen at an appropriate time.

Still, in a little while

Replaces "but" with "still" indicating the idea that something is happening despite any impediments and "soon" with the phrase "in a little while", suggesting that something will happen in the short-term.

Nonetheless, presently

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" for a more formal alternative and "soon" with "presently" to convey that something will occur without delay.

That being said, shortly

Replaces "but" with "that being said" to highlight a contrast with the previous statement and uses "shortly" to indicate that something will happen without delay.

Even so, after a while

Replaces "but" with "even so" and "soon" with "after a while", changing the emphasis slightly to a less immediate timeframe.

Even then, not long after

Uses a slightly different conjunction and specifies a short time interval after the initial event.

All the same, before much time passes

Replaces "but" with "all the same", signaling a contrast, and expressing "soon" in a more verbose manner.

FAQs

How can I use "But soon" in a sentence?

You can use "But soon" to introduce a change or development that occurs shortly after a previous situation. For example, "The rain was heavy, but soon it stopped."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "But soon"?

Similar phrases include "however shortly thereafter", "yet before long", or "nevertheless in due course", each offering subtle differences in tone and emphasis.

Is "But soon" appropriate for formal writing?

While "But soon" is grammatically correct, it leans towards a neutral register. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "however shortly thereafter" or "nevertheless in due course" for a more elevated tone.

What's the difference between "But soon" and "But later"?

"But soon" implies an event happening in the near future, while "But later" suggests a more indefinite or distant time. The choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis on timing. Consider also the alternatives "however shortly thereafter" or "nevertheless in due course".