but even sooner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but even sooner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will happen at an earlier time than previously mentioned or expected. Example: "I thought the project would be completed by next month, but even sooner, we might finish it by the end of this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But even sooner than that, he said "you see yourself bench-pressing more, your recovery times are faster, and your muscle builds".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But perhaps even sooner, McConnell would like Trump to start dismantling Obama's efforts to curb global warming, beginning with the EPA's Clean Power Plan, which aims to dramatically reduce emissions.

HuffPost

But it could overshoot even sooner.

The Guardian - Business

If Jorge Sosa were available, Randolph may have turned to him here, or even sooner, but Sosa had pitched in the two previous games.

The New York Times - Sports

Not only would they have broken even sooner, but their portfolio today would be in much better shape than the portfolio with poor timing.

Forbes

A cynic might suggest that hosting one of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) four-yearly orgies of spending on transport, security and venues would have emptied Detroit's coffers even sooner, but that is not a view you hear so often in these post-London 2012 days.

BBC

Honestly, the first fitting could be even sooner, but sometimes brides take some time to make up their minds, because they have to look at a million details in their dress.

Huffington Post

But full repeal could come even sooner.

Forbes

Not only do they no longer need the space, but they may find themselves even sooner needing the cash.

Forbes

Paul Lambert's Villa had won just one of their previous seven Premier League matches but should have been ahead even sooner when Gabriel Agbonlahor raced clear on goal from Benteke's flick-on, only to prod wide.

BBC

That's about the time here that Game 3 of the National League playoffs blew up for Welch, who once wrote an autobiography called, "Five O'Clock Comes Early," but who was done in even sooner this time by the St . Louis Cardinals

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: ensure that the phrase fits naturally within the flow of your writing, enhancing clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "but even sooner" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "however, prior to that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but even sooner" functions as an adverbial phrase or conjunctive adverb, modifying a verb or clause by indicating a time frame that is earlier than what was previously mentioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and often used to introduce an element of surprise or acceleration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but even sooner" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces an element of surprise by indicating that something occurs earlier than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While versatile and common in news, sports, and general media, it might be less appropriate in highly formal or academic contexts. In those cases, consider alternatives such as "however, prior to that" for a more sophisticated tone. This phrase effectively conveys urgency and immediacy, making it a valuable tool for impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet sooner than expected

Similar to the original but lacks the direct contrast.

though earlier than anticipated

Adds the element of surprise more explicitly.

but still earlier

Focuses on the earliness, but slightly less common.

but ahead of schedule

Implies a plan or expectation that is being surpassed.

but before that

Highlights a preceding event, but is less emphatic about the immediacy.

yet earlier

Emphasizes the earliness, but misses the contrast introduced by "but".

but previously

Focuses on an earlier time, but lacks the element of surprise.

however, prior to that

More formal and emphasizes sequence rather than immediacy.

but at an earlier date

More formal, focusing on a specific point in time.

but prematurely

Indicates something happening too early, potentially with negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "but even sooner" in a sentence?

Use "but even sooner" to indicate that something happens at an earlier time than previously stated or expected. For example, "I thought the project would be completed next month, "but even sooner", we might finish it by the end of this week."

What are some alternatives to "but even sooner"?

Alternatives include "yet earlier", "though earlier than anticipated", or "however, prior to that", depending on the level of formality you require.

Is "but even sooner" grammatically correct?

Yes, "but even sooner" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this.

When is it inappropriate to use "but even sooner"?

It may be inappropriate in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated alternatives might be preferred. In such contexts, consider using phrases like "however, prior to that".