before too long

USAGE SUMMARY

"before too long" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that will happen in the short-term future. Example: I'm going to buy a new car before too long.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Greece's situation could start to improve before too long.

The New Yorker

Many assumed that political union would follow before too long.

The Economist

"Then it's good that Rani will be retiring before too long," I said.

The New Yorker

"It's a fire that's smoldering and before too long will be raging".

The New York Times - Travel

It stands to reason that the ground will shift before too long.

Forbes

I'm sure Cousins will find out before too long.

Huffington Post

Before too long, Gwen has had enough.

The New York Times - Books

She might, before too long.

The New Yorker

Before too long, the whispers started.

The Guardian - Sport

Before too long, a different picture emerged.

The Guardian

Dortmund should be safe before too long.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before too long" when you want to express that something will happen relatively soon, but without specifying an exact timeframe. It adds a touch of anticipation.

Common error

While acceptable, relying heavily on "before too long" in highly formal writing may make your text sound less sophisticated. Opt for more precise or elevated language like "in the near future" or "shortly" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before too long" functions as an adverbial phrase of time. It modifies verbs or clauses, indicating when an event is expected to occur. Ludwig examples show it setting a timeframe for future occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before too long" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates an event will occur in the near future. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and fit for written English. The analysis reveals a neutral register, lending itself well to diverse contexts, with frequent use in news outlets. When aiming for elevated formality, consider alternatives such as "in the near future" or "shortly". This makes "before too long" a valuable addition to your linguistic toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the near future

Indicates a similar timeframe but is more formal and general.

shortly

Implies a slightly shorter timeframe than "before too long".

soon

A simple and direct synonym, lacking the slight emphasis of "before too long".

in a little while

Suggests a brief period; less formal than "before too long".

in due course

More formal and suggests a natural or expected progression of events.

not long from now

A more descriptive and slightly less common way to express the same idea.

in the fullness of time

A more philosophical and patient way of saying something will happen eventually.

presently

Somewhat formal and archaic, but still conveys the idea of something happening soon.

by and by

An older, less common idiom meaning 'eventually'.

coming soon

More commonly used in marketing or announcements.

FAQs

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

Use "before too long" to indicate that something will happen relatively soon. For instance, "I expect they'll announce the news "before too long"".

What's a more formal alternative to "before too long"?

Consider using phrases like "in the near future" or "shortly" for a more formal tone.

Is "before too long" interchangeable with "soon"?

While similar, "before too long" often carries a slightly stronger sense of anticipation or expectation compared to the simple "soon".

Can "before too long" be used for past events?

No, "before too long" is used to refer to events expected to happen in the future, not events that have already occurred.