all too early

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all too early" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is happening sooner than desired or expected, often with a sense of regret or disappointment. Example: "I realized that I had to leave the party all too early, missing out on the best moments of the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

These are not inconsequential accomplishments for the offspring of an impoverished musician and a very bright woman who came to her responsibilities as a mother all too early in life.

The New York Times - Books

Addiction robbed him of his future, his family and, ultimately, his life at an all too early age.

Forbes

It is all too early to tell.

The Guardian - Sport

Under these conditions it's not at all too early to start separating the winners from the losers.

The Guardian - Sport

It was all too early to think about of course, but baseball fans might have one day travelled to watch the great José Fernández pitch in his final season.

The Guardian - Sport

Although Viloria never stopped punching and sometimes connecting, González battered him until his face started to swell; the referee's stoppage, in the ninth round, seemed not at all too early, although Viloria said, as boxers are supposed to, that he would have liked to keep fighting.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Steven's all-too-early passing has left a hole in the heart of the School, where he was elected by his colleagues and recognized and appointed to all the most consequential leadership positions.

Columbia University

Of all the roles Turing played during his all-too-brief life, there is one he played only after his all-too-early death - that of fictional character.

BBC

I'm not sure why my knees gave out at what I consider to be the all-too-early age of not-quite 59.

Los Angeles Times

"I was raised by VHS," he writes, sharing fond memories of watching horror and cult movies at an all-too-early age.

Vice

Amanda M. from Missouri, a teacher, felt coerced into going back to work at an all-too-early six weeks because of the loss in days and deduction in her paychecks and need to support her family.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all too early" to express disappointment or regret that something is happening sooner than desired. For example, "The vacation ended all too early."

Common error

The phrase "all too early" typically conveys a sense of loss or disappointment. Avoid using it in situations where you want to express excitement about something happening sooner than expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all too early" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to express that something occurred sooner than desired or expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show its use to describe events ending prematurely or developments happening before their time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all too early" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express that something happened sooner than desired, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. Related phrases include "too soon" and "prematurely". Remember to use it when you want to convey a sense of disappointment or regret that something occurred before it was fully enjoyed or expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too soon

This alternative indicates something happening earlier than is desirable or advisable.

prematurely

This alternative refers to something happening, arriving, or being done before the due time, or too early.

before its time

This alternative phrase describes something that happened or appeared before it was ready or appropriate.

untimely

This alternative refers to something happening at an unfortunate or inappropriate time.

ahead of schedule

This alternative describes something that is happening or being done before the set or expected time.

precociously

This alternative indicates something developing or occurring earlier than usual, often in terms of mental or physical skills.

in advance

This alternative describes doing something ahead of a scheduled event or time.

precipitately

This alternative refers to something happening suddenly and unexpectedly or too hastily.

overhastily

This alternative describes acting with excessive speed or urgency, often leading to mistakes.

too hastily

This alternative means something done with undue speed or lack of deliberation.

FAQs

How can I use "all too early" in a sentence?

Use "all too early" to express that something happened sooner than desired, often with a negative connotation. For example: "The concert ended "all too early", and I didn't get to hear my favorite song."

What phrases are similar to "all too early"?

Synonyms include "too soon", "prematurely", or "before its time". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "all too early"?

It's suitable when you want to convey a sense of something ending or happening before it was fully enjoyed or expected. Be mindful of the slightly negative connotation.

Is "all too early" interchangeable with "very early"?

While both refer to something happening early, "all too early" carries an implication of regret or disappointment that "very early" does not. For example: 'The flowers bloomed "all too early" due to the unseasonably warm weather' suggests a negative outcome, while 'The flowers bloomed very early' is a neutral observation.