early for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "early for" is a perfectly usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is happening sooner or before something else. For example: "I'm early for my appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'll open early for them".

The New York Times

Too early for a scarf?

The New Yorker

(I'm filing early, for once).

The New Yorker

"It's too early for phone calls.

The New Yorker

— BILL PENNINGTON Christmas come early for YouTube.

The New York Times

The lessons came early for the Rangers.

The New York Times - Sports

Both were targeted early for professional success.

The New York Times - Sports

Is it too early for a drink?

The New York Times

"It is a little early for that".

The New York Times

"It's a little early for that".

Independent

"It's still too early for wine".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning your day, use "early for" to ensure you arrive before the scheduled time, reducing stress and showing respect for others.

Common error

Avoid using "early for" when you simply mean "on time". "Early for" implies arriving before the expected or scheduled time. If you arrive at the exact scheduled time, it's not considered "early".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "early for" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate being ahead of the expected time for something. Ludwig confirms its proper usage, with examples showing its application in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

9%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "early for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is ahead of schedule. As Ludwig highlights, it's versatile, fitting various contexts from news to personal interactions. While generally neutral in register, consider using more formal alternatives like "ahead of schedule for" in specific situations. Remember, being "early for" something indicates arriving before the designated time, conveying punctuality and preparedness. Being aware of these nuances will ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ahead of schedule for

Indicates being in advance of the expected time, emphasizing the temporal aspect.

before time for

Highlights the temporal order, stressing the action occurs prior to a specific deadline or event.

in advance for

Focuses on preparing or acting before a set time, suggesting preparedness.

prior to for

Formal way of saying something happens before something else.

sooner than expected for

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of being ahead of schedule.

premature for

Highlights that something is happening before it should.

well before for

Indicates acting considerably in advance, stressing the extent of the lead time.

with time to spare for

Indicates there is extra time available before the event or deadline.

beforehand for

Focuses on the preparatory actions taken before the event.

in good time for

Suggests being punctual and well-prepared for something.

FAQs

How to use "early for" in a sentence?

You can use "early for" to indicate that someone or something is ahead of schedule. For example, "I was "early for" my appointment so I had time to grab a coffee".

What's a more formal way to say "early for"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "ahead of schedule for" or "in advance of" instead of "early for".

Is it always better to be "early for" something?

While punctuality is generally valued, being excessively "early for" an event might sometimes be inconvenient or disrupt preparations. Consider the context and aim to arrive a few minutes early rather than significantly ahead of time.

Which is correct, "early for the meeting" or "early to the meeting"?

"Early for the meeting" is generally preferred, as "for" indicates the purpose or reason for being early. "Early to the meeting" isn't grammatically incorrect, but less common and can sound awkward.