before long

USAGE SUMMARY

"before long" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that will happen after a short time. For example: "I'm sure that, before long, everyone will have heard the good news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But before long, tragedy struck.

Independent

Before long, Fanning left too.

The Guardian - Music

Before long, these delusions collide.

The New York Times

Before long, he was enthralled.

The New York Times

Before long, dementia sets in.

The New Yorker

Before long, newsprint is everywhere.

The New York Times

Before long, he moved in.

The New York Times

Before long, J.B. was roused.

The New York Times

Before long the hunt began.

The New York Times

Before long, the couple married.

The New York Times

Before long, MTV came calling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before long" to create a sense of anticipation or impending change in your narrative. It's effective for setting the stage for a shift in events.

Common error

Avoid using "before long" with past tense verbs. It's best suited for indicating a near future event or a shift from the present to the future, not for narrating past occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before long" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a timeframe. It signifies that an event will occur in the near future. Ludwig and its examples confirm its usage in setting expectations for upcoming events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before long" is a versatile adverbial phrase indicating that something will happen soon. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage, particularly within news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it effectively sets the stage for events and creates anticipation. To ensure proper usage, avoid using it with past tense verbs. For alternatives, consider options like "soon" or "shortly" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soon

This is the most direct synonym, implying a short time until something happens.

shortly

Similar to 'soon' but can suggest a slightly more formal context.

in a short time

A straightforward alternative, stressing the brevity of the waiting period.

in a little while

A more casual way of saying something will happen soon.

in the near future

More formal and emphasizes the proximity of the event in time.

presently

A slightly more archaic synonym for 'soon'.

not long from now

Emphasizes that the waiting period is limited.

in due course

Indicates something will happen at the appropriate time, without specifying exactly when.

by and by

An older expression indicating something will happen gradually over time.

at any moment

Emphasizes the immediacy and potential suddenness of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "before long" in a sentence?

Use "before long" to indicate that something will happen in the near future. For example, "They will be here "before long"."

What are some phrases similar to "before long"?

Alternatives to "before long" include "soon", "shortly", or "in a little while".

Is "before long" formal or informal?

"Before long" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "in the near future".

What is the difference between "before long" and "soon"?

"Before long" and "soon" are very similar, but "before long" can sometimes imply a slightly longer duration than "soon". Both indicate that something will happen relatively quickly.