any time soon

USAGE SUMMARY

"any time soon" is correctly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not likely to happen in the near future. For example, "I don't think we'll be able to finish this project any time soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unlikely any time soon.

The Economist

any time soon.

The New York Times

movie film any time soon.

The New Yorker

But not any time soon.

The New York Times - Sports

Like, any time soon?

The New Yorker

There won't be any time soon.

The New York Times

That will not happen any time soon.

The Economist

Are they expecting him any time soon?

Independent

Probably not any time soon.

The Guardian

Getting married any time soon?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And not any time soon.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "any time soon", consider the context and audience. While suitable for informal settings, more formal situations may benefit from phrases like "in the foreseeable future".

Common error

Avoid assuming "any time soon" provides a precise timeframe. It's a relative expression, and its interpretation depends on the context. Instead of saying "The results will be available any time soon", consider providing an estimated timeframe to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any time soon" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action is expected to occur. It essentially expresses that the action is not anticipated in the near future. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "any time soon" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express that something is not expected to happen in the near future. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous real-world examples predominantly sourced from news and media. While versatile, it's slightly more informal than alternatives like "in the foreseeable future". Be mindful of the context to ensure the appropriate level of formality. When using "any time soon", avoid temporal ambiguity by providing a clearer timeframe when possible to manage expectations effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not in the near future

This alternative is a more direct and literal way of expressing that something will not happen shortly.

not expected shortly

This expresses the lack of expectation for something to occur in the immediate period.

in the foreseeable future

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a prediction about what is likely to happen based on current trends.

not in the immediate future

Similar to "in the foreseeable future" but slightly less formal.

not anytime in the short term

This alternative emphasizes the lack of expectation within a limited period.

not for a while

This is a more informal way of saying that something will not happen soon.

not on the horizon

This implies that something is not yet apparent or likely to occur in the observable future.

not in the cards

This idiom suggests that something is not likely to happen due to circumstances or fate.

don't hold your breath

An informal idiom suggesting the event is unlikely to happen, advising against anticipation.

not coming down the pike

An idiomatic expression suggesting the event is unlikely to occur in the expected path.

FAQs

How can I use "any time soon" in a sentence?

You can use "any time soon" to indicate that something is not expected to happen in the near future. For example: "I don't think they will release the update "any time soon".""

What are some alternatives to "any time soon"?

Some alternatives to "any time soon" include "in the foreseeable future", "not in the near future", or "not for a while", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "anytime soon" one word, or should it be "any time soon"?

"Any time soon" is the correct form, as "anytime" is a single word that means "at any time". Separating the words as "any time soon" indicates a period in the near future.

What's the difference between "any time soon" and "in the near future"?

While both phrases indicate that something is not expected to happen immediately, "any time soon" is slightly more informal. "In the near future" is often preferred in more formal or professional contexts.