but shortly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but shortly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will happen soon or in a brief amount of time. Example: "I will provide the details, but shortly after the meeting concludes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But shortly afterwards the army gave up.

The Economist

But shortly he is running.

The New Yorker

But shortly thereafter she rang from hospital.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But shortly before Thanksgiving, he disappeared.

The New York Times - Magazine

But shortly, his giant, olive head materialized.

The New York Times - Sports

But shortly the whole thing changed.

The New York Times - Arts

But shortly after the encounter, he defended his behavior.

The New York Times

He was then let go but shortly after he collapsed.

The Guardian

But shortly before being fitted for it, he disappeared.

The New York Times - Magazine

But shortly after that, he had a stroke.

The New York Times

But shortly before 1 a.m., Mr. Simmons declared victory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but shortly" to connect two events that occur in quick succession, providing a sense of immediacy. For example, "The announcement was made, but shortly after, the stock price plummeted."

Common error

Avoid using "but shortly" when a significant amount of time passes between the two events; instead, use phrases like "but later" or "but eventually" to accurately reflect the duration.

Linguistic Context

But shortly functions as an adverbial conjunction phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating that the event described in the second clause happened a short time after the event in the first clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but shortly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for indicating a sequence of events where something occurs soon after a preceding event. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the events are indeed closely timed to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "but soon after" or "but immediately after" to achieve the desired nuance. Overall, "but shortly" is a reliable and effective way to connect events in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but soon afterward

Replaces "shortly" with "soon", focusing on the brief time span.

but before long

Implies a relatively quick sequence of events.

but quickly thereafter

Emphasizes speed in the subsequent event.

but not long after

Indicates that the time between events was minimal.

but immediately following

Highlights the lack of delay between the two events.

but promptly thereafter

Focuses on the swiftness and punctuality of the second event.

but in short order

Emphasizes that things happen fast and efficiently.

but on the heels of

Suggests that the second event followed very closely.

but a moment later

Highlights a very short period of time.

but in a little while

Uses an informal tone to indicate a brief delay.

FAQs

How can I use "but shortly" in a sentence?

"But shortly" is used to indicate that something happened soon after a previous event. For example, "The meeting ended, but shortly after, another one was scheduled".

What's a good alternative to "but shortly"?

You can use alternatives such as "but soon after", "but quickly thereafter", or "but immediately after" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "but shortly after" redundant?

While not strictly redundant, "but shortly after" can sometimes be simplified to just "but shortly" for conciseness, as "shortly" already implies "after".

What is the difference between "but shortly" and "but soon"?

"But shortly" implies a more immediate sequence of events compared to "but soon". "But shortly" suggests something happened almost immediately after, while "but soon" indicates it happened within a relatively short time.