done so soon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "done so soon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise or disappointment that something has been completed earlier than expected. Example: "I didn't expect the project to be done so soon; I thought it would take at least another week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As might be expected, flying animals of Asian origin (e.g., bats and birds) reached Australia before the others, and they may have done so soon after Australia separated from Antarctica.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I mean, when I heard about it I was dumbfounded that this would have been done -- and done so soon after we reached this agreement that he obviously ballyhooed, went around with John McCain, talking about how great it was that we had reached this agreement," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He should do so soon.

The New York Times

And he must do so soon.

The New York Times

"But I think they may do so soon".

The New York Times

Every enemy of terrorism should hope he does so soon.

The Economist

There's reason to think it should do so soon.

MIT Technology Review

"But we can't decide what to do so soon".

The New York Times

So far, only Norway and Denmark have officially promised to help; 12 other governments may do so soon.

The Economist

Nor are there signs that business investment or consumer demand will do so soon.

The New York Times

Ocado nonetheless has yet to make a profit and seems unlikely to do so soon.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "done so soon" when you want to express surprise or mild disbelief that something has been completed faster than anticipated. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "done so soon" when you simply want to state that something is finished. This phrase carries an undertone of unexpected timing, so it's not appropriate if the completion was on schedule or expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "done so soon" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing the timing of an action's completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something was completed with unexpected speed. The adverbial nature is clear in examples like, "The Pac-12 members did so, soon after Scott took office."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "done so soon" is a grammatically correct adverbial modifier used to express surprise or mild disbelief that something has been completed more rapidly than expected. As per Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English to express unexpected timing. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. Its register is neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts. Related phrases include "finished so quickly" and "completed rapidly". When using this phrase, be sure to emphasize the element of surprise and avoid using it simply to state that something is finished.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finished so quickly

Focuses on the speed of completion.

completed so rapidly

Emphasizes the fast pace of the completion.

concluded prematurely

Suggests the completion was earlier than expected or desired.

wrapped up ahead of schedule

Highlights that the task finished before the planned time.

accomplished unexpectedly fast

Stresses the surprise element of the quick completion.

finalized surprisingly early

Points out the unexpected earliness of the finalization.

achieved in short order

Implies the task was done efficiently and quickly.

over before expected

Focuses on the brevity of the process relative to expectations.

dealt with expeditiously

Emphasizes the efficiency and speed in handling the task.

resolved without delay

Highlights the lack of postponement in addressing the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "done so soon" in a sentence?

You can use "done so soon" to express surprise or mild disbelief that something has been completed faster than anticipated. For example, "I didn't expect the project to be "done so soon"; I thought it would take at least another week."

What can I say instead of "done so soon"?

You can use alternatives like "finished quickly", "completed rapidly", or "wrapped up ahead of schedule" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "done so soon" or "done so early"?

Both ""done so soon"" and "done so early" are correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Done so soon" emphasizes unexpected speed, while "done so early" focuses more on being ahead of a planned timeframe.

What's the difference between "done so soon" and "completed quickly"?

"Done so soon" implies a degree of surprise or unexpectedness at the rapidity of completion, while "completed quickly" is a more neutral statement about speed.