at sooner

USAGE SUMMARY

"at sooner" is not a correct or commonly used phrase in written English.
It is not grammatically correct and does not have a clear meaning. It is possible that someone might use it in spoken language as a shorthand or colloquialism, but it should not be used in formal writing. Some possible ways to express a similar idea would be "at an earlier time" or "sooner than expected." For example: - The meeting was scheduled for 3:00 PM, but we were able to start at sooner. (incorrect) - The meeting was scheduled for 3:00 PM, but we were able to start at an earlier time. (correct) - The meeting was scheduled for 3:00 PM, but we were able to start sooner than expected. (correct).

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

At Sooner Haven, relationships with men were often what stopped an ambitious woman from escaping.

The New Yorker

The standards of parenting at Sooner Haven are not uniformly exacting.

The New Yorker

Again, we think the results are important, and they need to be looked at sooner rather than later.

The New York Times

Corean also saw Pastor Young, who was conducting another marriage seminar at Sooner Haven, and preaching to a larger crowd.

The New Yorker

In any event, it would give her respite from her unit at Sooner Haven, which, despite her liberal use of paper doilies, ceramic angels, and lavender-scented candles, was no longer a pleasant place to spend a day.

The New Yorker

"I mean, how do you get to the point of even having a bad marriage, when every time you start to say the word 'love' he starts talking about basketball?" "My thing is: how do you get a man to talk about marriage when you're pretty sure he's still sleeping with his baby's mother?" a nurse's aide asked, expressing a problem so familiar at Sooner Haven that it is known by the term "baby-mama drama".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Becker told a stunned press corps that he knew he would lose at Wimbledon sooner or later.

The New York Times

How can you tell if the market is poised to rebound anytime soon — or at least sooner than seven years?

The New York Times

ASK a European what the continent is good at, and sooner or later he or she will say protecting the environment.

The Economist

You're going to be able to see the lights at night sooner than you'll be able to see the palm trees during the day.

The New York Times - Magazine

The principles of the bill are right, faster equalisation at 66 sooner, [but] there is a particular group badly affected, [so] we will ease the transition.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a preference for something to happen quickly, consider using the idiomatic expression "sooner rather than later", but be mindful of the context and ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is pairing the preposition "at" with comparative adjectives like "sooner." Remember that "at" typically indicates a location or point in time, while "sooner" implies a comparison. Use phrases like "earlier than" or "before" to express the intended meaning correctly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at sooner" is grammatically incorrect and does not function as a standard English phrase. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's not a recognized or grammatically sound construction. The presence of both "at" and the comparative "sooner" creates a non-standard combination.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at sooner" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-standard construction that lacks clear meaning. While the intention might be to express something happening earlier than expected, it's crucial to use grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and professionalism. Effective substitutes include "at an earlier time", "sooner than expected", or "before the expected time". These alternatives ensure your writing remains accurate and easily understood. Remember to avoid combining "at" with comparative adjectives like "sooner" to prevent grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the expected time

Highlights that something happened earlier than anticipated.

earlier than anticipated

Focuses on the difference between the actual time and what was predicted or expected.

in less time

Directly contrasts with a longer duration, emphasizing the brevity of the timeframe.

ahead of schedule

Implies that a task or event is progressing faster than planned.

at an earlier time

Replaces "sooner" with a more formal and grammatically correct phrase, emphasizing a specific point in time.

at a prior date

Similar to "at an earlier time" but emphasizes a pre-arranged or scheduled time.

sooner rather than later

Reiterates a preference for something to occur quickly, although it is idiomatic and may not suit all contexts.

at a faster pace

Shifts the focus to speed rather than time, suitable when discussing processes or actions.

at an accelerated rate

Emphasizes the speed of progress or change, suitable for describing development or growth.

at a more rapid tempo

Similar to pace and rate, focusing on quickness and rhythm, often used in a literal way for physical actions.

FAQs

How can I correctly express doing something earlier than planned?

Instead of the incorrect phrase "at sooner", use alternatives like "earlier than expected" or "ahead of schedule" to convey that something is happening before the anticipated time.

What's a grammatically sound substitute for "at sooner" in a sentence?

Replace "at sooner" with phrases such as "at an earlier time" or "at a prior date". These options provide grammatical accuracy while maintaining a similar meaning.

How to avoid mistakes when trying to say something happens before the expected time?

Ensure you're not using "at" with comparative words like "sooner". Instead, opt for constructions like "before the expected time" or "in less time".

Is "at sooner" ever correct in English?

No, "at sooner" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use phrases like "at an earlier time" or "sooner rather than later" to convey your intended meaning with proper grammar.