but before long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but before long" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the idea that something happened not too long after something else. For example, "He wasn't interested in the job at first, but before long he had changed his mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But before long some of Rieschel's early bets began to pay off.

Forbes

But before long, tragedy struck.

Independent

But before long the flow reversed again.

The New York Times - Magazine

But, before long, the evidence swayed him.

The Economist

But before long, things start to hurt.

Independent

But before long, family life deteriorated.

The New York Times

But before long, MPs' attention was wandering.

The Guardian - Opinion

But before long, a few more buyers and sellers met.

The New York Times

But before long, people will ask for more solid results.

The Economist

But before long, the creeping daylight stirred me awake.

The Guardian - Travel

But before long it began to drive me crazy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but before long" to create a sense of anticipation or contrast, highlighting how a situation evolved quickly after an initial state.

Common error

Avoid using "but before long" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but before long" functions as an adverbial connector, linking two clauses to indicate a sequence of events where the second event occurs shortly after the first. As Ludwig AI highlights, it sets up a contrast while emphasizing the temporal proximity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Academia

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but before long" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to indicate that something happened shortly after something else, often unexpectedly or in contrast to a previous situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While "but before long" is generally safe to use, writers should be mindful of overuse and should be familiar with suitable alternative phrases such as "soon after" or "shortly thereafter". As the high frequency in journalistic sources demonstrates, this expression is a common and effective way to signal a quick transition in a narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soon after

A more straightforward and common way to express the same idea.

shortly thereafter

Emphasizes the temporal proximity between the two events more directly.

it wasn't long until

Highlights the brief duration before the subsequent event occurred.

in a short time

Focuses on the brevity of the intervening period.

before much time had passed

A more formal way of indicating a quick succession of events.

in due course

Implies that the event happened as expected, given the circumstances.

presently

A slightly more archaic or literary way of saying "soon".

by and by

Suggests a gradual or unhurried sequence of events.

in the fullness of time

Implies that the event happened when the time was right or after a necessary period.

after a while

Indicates a less immediate sequence, with a slightly longer interval between events.

FAQs

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

You can use "but before long" to show that something happened soon after something else. For example, "He hesitated at first, but before long, he agreed to help".

What phrases are similar to "but before long"?

Alternatives include "soon after", "shortly thereafter", or "it wasn't long until". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to include "but" before "before long"?

While "before long" can stand alone, including "but" often creates a stronger sense of contrast or unexpected development. The "but" highlights a change from a previous state.

What is the difference between "but before long" and "eventually"?

"But before long" implies a shorter time frame than "eventually". "Eventually" suggests that something happened after a considerable amount of time, while "but before long" suggests a quicker transition.