but soon

USAGE SUMMARY

"but soon" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to indicate a contrast between two events or developments. For example, "The team was losing the game, but soon they began to score points and won the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But soon she emerged.

The New Yorker

But soon they will.

The Economist

"But soon," he said.

The New York Times

But soon!

The Guardian

But soon it could be.

The Economist

But soon things got darker.

The New Yorker

But soon Jason is sixteen.

The New Yorker

But soon, Boeing insists, soon.

The New York Times

But soon the formality fades.

The New York Times - Travel

Not quite tomorrow, but soon".

The New Yorker

But soon Soho died.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but soon" to create a sense of anticipation or to highlight a turning point in a narrative. It effectively signals a change following an initial state or event.

Common error

Avoid using "but soon" repeatedly within a short passage. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "but soon" is to act as a conjunctional adverbial phrase. It connects two contrasting clauses, indicating that an event is about to occur shortly after the first clause. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but soon" functions as a conjunctional adverbial phrase used to indicate a transition or shift in events, as confirmed by Ludwig. It has a neutral register, suitable for various contexts, with a prominent presence in News & Media. It is grammatically correct and frequently used. To enhance your writing, use "but soon" to signal turning points and avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Remember that Ludwig can help provide real-world examples to master its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but before long

Highlights the quickness with which the subsequent event follows.

but shortly thereafter

Replaces "soon" with a more formal adverbial phrase indicating a brief time lapse.

however, soon after

Breaks the phrase into two parts, adding emphasis with "however".

but in a little while

Emphasizes the brief duration before the subsequent event occurs.

but quickly

Focuses on the speed of the transition.

but in due course

Suggests that the subsequent event will happen naturally or predictably in time.

but in short order

Indicates that something happens efficiently and without delay.

but presently

Offers a slightly archaic alternative to "soon", indicating imminence.

yet shortly

Uses "yet" as a conjunction for contrast, paired with "shortly" for brevity.

but before much time had passed

A longer, more descriptive alternative emphasizing the limited time elapsed.

FAQs

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

"But soon" is used to indicate that something will happen shortly after a previous event. For example, "The rain was heavy, but soon the sun came out".

What are some alternatives to "but soon"?

You can use alternatives like "before long", "shortly thereafter", or "in a little while" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "but soon" and "but later"?

"But soon" implies a shorter time frame than "but later". "But soon" suggests that the change will occur relatively quickly, while "but later" indicates a more distant future.

Can "but soon" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

While technically grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "but soon" can sometimes sound awkward. It's generally better to use it within a sentence to connect contrasting ideas.