Shortly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Shortly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something will happen in a brief amount of time or soon. Example: "The meeting will start shortly, so please take your seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MPs and peers laughed as Merkel, who recalled her first visit to London in the spring of 1990 shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, said those expecting a "fundamental reform of the European architecture" in Britain's direction would be disappointed.

The Guardian

Clinton first addressed the issue in March, shortly after transparency concerns were raised following reports that she used only a personal email account to conduct government business.

The Guardian

Shortly before the meeting the council issued a statement expressing "grave concern at the continued fighting in and around Debaltseve" and demanded that all parties to the conflict cease hostilities immediately.

The Guardian

Crider suspected that the US, which sent interrogators to interview Mobley shortly after he was detained, is complicit in his apparent disappearance.

The Guardian

The superstar-in-waiting made his Letterman debut shortly after helping the Yankees to their first World Series since 1978.

The Guardian - Sport

The admission came shortly after the only three men to be charged in connection with the suicide bombings were acquitted yesterday.

The Guardian

"It has been a long and emotional trial for me and my family," he said shortly after the ruling.

The Guardian

Mote was suspended from Ukip in 2004, shortly after he was elected, when the party discovered he was facing separate charges for benefit fraud.

The Guardian

She is scheduled to arrive at a rural community college in Monticello, a town of around 4,000, shortly after 1pm local time on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Although Seven was across the road from the Lindt cafe and in the prime position to film the ongoing action, it also had a huge disadvantage as it had to relocate its entire newsroom shortly after the crisis began.

The Guardian

Clegg has made Coppard's job easier, not just by reneging on his pledge not to increase tuition fees but by being in the highest echelons of a government that, shortly after its formation in 2010, cancelled a £80m loan to Sheffield Forgemasters, which the steel company had hoped to use to buy a new forging press for producing nuclear plant components, creating jobs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Shortly" to indicate that an event will occur in a relatively brief time, making sure the context aligns with the expectation of near-future action.

Common error

Avoid using "shortly" when you mean "briefly". "Shortly" refers to time, indicating something will happen soon, while "briefly" refers to conciseness or duration of an action.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Shortly" is as an adverb of time, modifying verbs and indicating when an action will occur. Ludwig AI supports this by demonstrating its use in various contexts related to future events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Shortly" is a versatile adverb used to indicate that something will occur in the near future. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. When using "shortly", ensure that you intend to convey the idea of something happening soon, and avoid confusing it with terms like "briefly", which refers to conciseness. Alternatives like "soon" or "presently" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to focus on clarity and accuracy when using temporal adverbs in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Soon

Indicates an event will happen in the near future; subtly differs in emphasis from 'shortly'.

In a moment

Suggests something will occur almost immediately; conveys a shorter time frame than 'shortly'.

Presently

Suggests something will occur very soon; slightly more formal than 'shortly'.

Before long

Emphasizes that something will happen relatively quickly; similar but provides more temporal context.

In a bit

Informal way of saying something will happen soon; less formal than 'shortly'.

In the near future

More descriptive and less concise than 'shortly'; broadens the timeframe slightly.

Quickly

Focuses on the speed of an action rather than its timing; different emphasis from 'shortly'.

Instantly

Emphasizes immediacy; a stronger and more immediate sense than 'shortly'.

Expeditiously

Implies something will be done with speed and efficiency; more formal than 'shortly'.

Forthwith

An archaic term meaning immediately; much more formal and less common than 'shortly'.

FAQs

How can I use "Shortly" in a sentence?

"Shortly" is typically used to indicate that something will happen soon. For example, "The meeting will begin "shortly"."

What can I say instead of "Shortly"?

You can use alternatives like "soon", "presently", or "in a moment" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "Shortly" and "Briefly"?

"Shortly" refers to time (something happening soon), while "briefly" refers to conciseness (something said or done in a short manner). They are not interchangeable.

Is it correct to use "Shortly" in formal writing?

Yes, "Shortly" is appropriate for formal writing and speech. It is a standard adverb used to indicate near-future events.