at short notice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at short notice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need to do something with very little advance warning or preparation. For example: "We had to rearrange the meeting at short notice due to a change in our agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At short notice.

The Guardian - Business

"Well, 'Romance at Short Notice'," Barat offers.

Independent

Both countries can assemble a bomb at short notice.

The Economist

I was informed of David Starkey's involvement at short notice.

The Guardian

People had to abandon holiday plans at short notice.

The Guardian - Travel

Caroline had to have an emergency caesarean at short notice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Flexibility to travel at short notice, even internationally, a requirement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Finding another practice at short notice was hard.

The Guardian

(Not Net-a-Porter, who wouldn't comment at short notice).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The raids were arranged at short notice, police officials said.

The New York Times

I've been a happy-go-lucky, romance at short notice man for a long time now.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at short notice", ensure the context clearly indicates what is happening with limited prior warning. For instance, specify who is acting and what they are doing.

Common error

Avoid using "at short notice" without providing sufficient context. The reader needs to understand what event or action is being referred to and who is impacted by the limited notice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at short notice" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate that something is done or occurs with little advance warning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatical and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at short notice" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that something occurs with little prior warning. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, especially news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, make sure the context makes clear what the limited notice applies to. For alternatives, consider "on short notice" or "with little warning" to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on short notice

This alternative is a more concise version using the preposition 'on' instead of 'at'.

with little warning

This alternative emphasizes the lack of advance notification.

without much preparation

This alternative focuses on the lack of preparation time.

at the last minute

This alternative focuses on the timing of the action, being very close to the deadline or event.

abruptly

This single-word alternative describes the suddenness of the action or event.

unexpectedly

This alternative emphasizes the surprise element.

on the spur of the moment

This idiom highlights the spontaneous nature of the decision or action.

hastily

This suggests something done quickly and possibly carelessly due to time constraints.

expeditiously

This focuses on the speed and efficiency with which something is done.

promptly

This highlights the quickness and readiness of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "at short notice" in a sentence?

You can use "at short notice" to describe actions or events that occur with little advance warning. For example, "The meeting was arranged "at short notice"".

What are some alternatives to "at short notice"?

Some alternatives include "on short notice", "with little warning", or "at the last minute". Each option conveys a similar sense of immediacy or lack of preparation time.

Is it better to say "on short notice" or "at short notice"?

Both "on short notice" and "at short notice" are acceptable and widely used. The choice often comes down to personal preference, as they are largely interchangeable.

What does "at short notice" imply about the situation?

"At short notice" typically implies that something has been organized, changed, or needs to be done quickly, with limited time for planning or preparation. This can sometimes suggest a sense of urgency or inconvenience.