as early as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'as early as' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened before some other specified point in time. For example, "They arrived as early as 6am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"As early as possible".

The New York Times

as early as Sept., 1964.

The New Yorker

The recovery started as early as 2010.

The New York Times

Spot the tumor as early as possible.

The New Yorker

As early as the 15th cent.

The New Yorker

They start work as early as 5.

The New York Times

Deals could come as early as Friday.

The New York Times

It could be as early as 3.

The New York Times

That could change as early as November.

The New York Times

That could happen as early as next week.

The New York Times - Sports

It could be as early as next month".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as early as" to set a lower bound on when something might happen or when something was initiated. It's effective for indicating possibilities or expectations within a specific timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "as early as" when you have precise information. For example, instead of saying "The meeting is scheduled as early as 9 AM" when you know it's precisely at 9 AM, state directly: "The meeting is scheduled for 9 AM."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as early as" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify a time frame. It sets the initial possible time for an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

35%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "as early as" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression that functions to denote the initial possible time frame for an event or action. Found very commonly across diverse sources such as News & Media and Wiki, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of communication contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase adheres to standard grammatical rules and provides clarity when used to indicate the beginning of potential timelines. When a precise time is known, direct statements are recommended instead of "as early as".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the earliest

Focuses on the initial possible time, placing emphasis on the limit.

sooner than

Emphasizes that something is happening before another event.

no sooner than

Highlights the minimum time before an event can occur, sometimes implying surprise if it occurs then.

at the very beginning

Stresses that something takes place right at the initial stage or moment.

at the start of

Indicates the beginning period of a time frame or event.

prior to

A more formal way of saying "before" emphasizing sequence.

beforehand

Focuses on the preparation or occurrence before a specific event.

previously

Refers to something that happened before a specific point in time, without necessarily being the very start.

in advance of

Similar to 'prior to', suggesting preparation or anticipation.

ahead of schedule

Implies an earlier than expected timing, highlighting efficiency.

FAQs

How do I use "as early as" in a sentence?

Use "as early as" to indicate the initial possible time or date of an event. For example, "The project can be completed "as early as" next week" means the project might be done starting from next week.

What phrases can I use instead of "as early as"?

Alternatives include "at the earliest", "no sooner than", or "prior to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as early as possible"?

Yes, "as early as possible" is a common and correct usage. It means to do something at the first opportunity. For example, "Respond to the email "as early as possible"".

What's the difference between "as early as" and "earlier than"?

"As early as" sets a specific potential start time, while "earlier than" compares two different times, indicating one is before the other. For example, "The store opens "as early as" 7 AM" suggests 7 AM is the earliest possible opening time. "The store opens earlier than usual" means the opening time is before the typical time, but does not specify a specific time.