imminently

USAGE SUMMARY

"imminently" is a valid word in written English.
It is an adverb meaning "in a very short time; soon," and is often used to describe an upcoming event or situation. Example sentence: The storm is expected to arrive imminently, so we need to take shelter right away.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.17pm BST14:17 As you can see on our snazzy interactive graphic at the top of the page, the second half of this race features seven categorised climbs – starting with the two Category 3 climbs of Ripponden and Greetland, just 8km apart, which are coming up imminently.

The Guardian - Sport

Second, Kanye West replied to this selfie by suggesting that he would imminently have sexual intercourse with her.

The Guardian - Tech

The two popes – current and emeritus – would, said the spokesman Federico Lombardi, meet at some point in the near future but "not imminently".

The Guardian

Prior restraint, near impossible in the US, was now explicitly and imminently on the table in the UK.

The Guardian

Every month we will publish news of an individual or group of people whose lives and liberty are imminently threatened.

The Guardian

With the Lib Dems likely to have their worst election night since the party was formed in 1988, Clegg's future as leader was being questioned, with some speculating that he would resign imminently.

The Guardian

As it is, this season's other dames include Dianne Thompson, who ran the National Lottery, an executive from Nestlé, for services to Kit Kats, and another actor, Kristin Scott Thomas, whose qualifications for eminence are unquestioned thanks to gracious performances in A Handful of Dust, Gosford Park and, imminently, in The Audience (as the Queen).

The Guardian - Opinion

Do you want West to imminently have sexual intercourse with you?

The Guardian - Tech

He said: "There were a couple of passport issues which needed to be resolved and they have been and he will be landing imminently.

The Guardian - Sport

Foster Wheeler - which Amec is due to officially take over imminently - reported earnings well below expectations, sending Amec shares down 43p to £10.13.

The Guardian - Business

The myth that oil and gas will imminently run out, together with worries about the greenhouse effect, is responsible for the despoliation of wild landscapes in Wales and Denmark by ugly, subsidised and therefore ultimately job-destroying wind farms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imminently", ensure the context clearly indicates the event's proximity in time to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "imminently" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "soon" or "shortly" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "imminently" modifies verbs to indicate that an event is about to occur very soon. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in formal contexts like news reports and official announcements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

16%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imminently" is an adverb used to express that something is about to happen very soon. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of urgency or expectation. While effective in formal settings, simpler alternatives like "soon" may be more appropriate for casual conversation. Remember to use "imminently" when you want to signal an upcoming event with a sense of near certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very soon

Focuses on the short time frame before something happens.

in the near future

Emphasizes the proximity in time of the event.

momentarily

Suggests that something will happen in a very brief amount of time.

forthcomingly

Indicates that something is about to appear or be presented.

presently

Implies that something will occur without much delay.

directly

Suggests an immediate sequence of events.

on the horizon

Metaphorically suggests an event is approaching.

close at hand

Indicates that something is within easy reach or will happen quickly.

just around the corner

Suggests an event is very near and easily anticipated.

any minute now

Emphasizes the expectation of something happening in a very short time.

FAQs

How to use "imminently" in a sentence?

Use "imminently" to indicate that something is about to happen very soon. For example, "The deal is "expected to be announced imminently"".

What can I say instead of "imminently"?

You can use alternatives like "very soon", "in the near future", or "momentarily" depending on the context.

Is "imminently" formal or informal?

"Imminently" is generally considered a formal term. In less formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "soon" or "shortly".

What's the difference between "imminently" and "immediately"?

"Imminently" suggests something is about to happen, whereas "immediately" indicates that something happens without any delay. For example, "The storm is "arriving imminently"" versus "Call me "immediately"".