come back shortly

USAGE SUMMARY

'come back shortly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone should return soon, usually after taking a brief amount of time to do something else. For example: "I need to make a couple of phone calls. Come back shortly and I'll have the information you need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I'll come back shortly to the troubles at JPMorgan Chase, the bank Mr. Dimon runs.

The New York Times

I'm still in touch with our Christian neighbours and wish they would come back shortly.

The Guardian

After being told it wouldn't fit a British plug socket, he went away, only to come back shortly afterwards to ask if the ambassador might have a spare Union Jack for them to burn.

The Guardian

This may call at least for mixed systems, to which we shall come back shortly.

SEP

Look for it to come back shortly — certainly some time before SXSW.

TechCrunch

Please come back shortly.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Only Robert was brave enough to venture out there but came back shortly afterwards looking a bit traumatised.

The Guardian - Travel

She came back shortly, bearing not only a jacket but also a thermos of hot tea and some dates.

The New York Times

"I was seeing Tweety birds," said Williams, who came back shortly afterward to help lead the Cardinals' rally.

The New York Times - Sports

But the message came back shortly afterwards.

BBC

Many of their users switched to Gmail, but most came back shortly after.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come back shortly" when you want to assure someone of a quick return, making it suitable for situations where brevity and reassurance are key. For example, a shopkeeper might say, "I'll check in the back; come back shortly."

Common error

Avoid using "come back shortly" if the return time is uncertain or expected to be longer than a few minutes. This phrase implies a brief absence; using it for extended periods can mislead the listener.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come back shortly" functions as an imperative, urging someone to return in a brief amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's commonly used to reassure someone of a quick reunion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come back shortly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a brief return. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. Its neutral register makes it versatile for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "return shortly" or "be right back" exist, "come back shortly" effectively conveys reassurance about a quick reunion. Remember to reserve it for situations where the return time is indeed expected to be brief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return shortly

A more formal synonym, suitable for professional contexts.

will be back shortly

Adds a degree of certainty or promise to the return.

be right back

A more casual and common phrase, often used in informal settings.

be back in a moment

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the briefness of the absence.

be back directly

Emphasizes an immediate return, suggesting no delay.

be back soon

A general statement of returning in the near future, less specific than "shortly".

will return in a bit

Informal and indicates a return in a short unspecified period.

be back presently

A more archaic and formal way of saying "be back soon".

will be with you shortly

Indicates availability or assistance will be provided soon, subtly different from returning to a place.

be back ere long

An old-fashioned phrase meaning "be back soon".

FAQs

How can I use "come back shortly" in a sentence?

You can use "come back shortly" to indicate a brief return. For instance, "I have to step out for a moment, but "come back shortly" and we can continue our conversation."

What's a more formal alternative to "come back shortly"?

A more formal alternative is "return shortly". This phrase is suitable for professional settings where a direct, yet polite, tone is preferred.

Is "be back shortly" the same as "come back shortly"?

Yes, "be back shortly" and "come back shortly" are largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference and the flow of the sentence.

What does "shortly" mean in the context of "come back shortly"?

In this context, "shortly" means in a little while or soon. It implies that the return will happen relatively quickly, typically within a few minutes.