is sooner than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is sooner than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the timing of two events, indicating that one event occurs before another. Example: "The deadline for the project is sooner than I expected, so we need to work quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That is sooner than indicated in the bank's previous statement.

The New York Times

Which, thanks to mobile technologies, is sooner than you think.

The Guardian - Tech

The next round of conventions is sooner than one might think.

The New Yorker

Finally, the timing for regulation is sooner than most people think.

The Washington Post

These new jumbo reverse mortgages allow borrowers to refinance the loan after one year with no penalties, which is sooner than some competitors.

The New York Times

Obviously, he is playing to win, and I suspect that if he continues to lose to players he would have drubbed not long ago, he will decide to retire, even if it is sooner than he might wish.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Hopefully that will be sooner than later".

The New York Times

"Perhaps the words are sooner than later.

The New York Times - Sports

That may be sooner than Aug. 12".

The New York Times

Might as well be sooner than later.

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully, it's sooner than later".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is sooner than", ensure you are comparing two specific points in time or events. For example, "The deadline is sooner than expected" clearly contrasts the actual deadline with a prior expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "is sooner than" without a clear reference point for comparison. Saying "It is sooner than" is incomplete; specify what it is sooner than.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is sooner than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms this serves to compare the timing of two events, indicating that one event occurs or is expected to occur before another. It establishes a temporal relationship, emphasizing the earlier occurrence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Science

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is sooner than" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate that something occurs or is expected to occur earlier than another event or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it helps convey timing differences. When using this phrase, ensure a clear comparison is established to avoid ambiguity. While "is sooner than" is suitable for neutral and professional settings, remember to choose alternatives like "occurs earlier than" for greater formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurs earlier than

Focuses on the timing of an event, emphasizing its early occurrence.

is before

A shorter, more concise way of saying something happens earlier in time.

happens before

A more direct and simple way of saying something occurs in advance.

comes earlier than

Similar to 'occurs earlier than' but emphasizes the arrival or beginning of an event.

is scheduled earlier than

Specifically refers to planned events that have been moved to an earlier date.

takes place earlier than

Highlights the action of something happening or occurring prior to another event.

antedates

A more formal and less common way to indicate something precedes another in time.

precedes

Indicates that something comes before something else in a sequence or time.

is advanced from

Emphasizes that something has been moved forward in time from a previous schedule.

arrives before

Suggests that something is available or present before another.

FAQs

How can I use "is sooner than" in a sentence?

Use "is sooner than" to compare the timing of two events or expectations. For instance, "The project's completion date "is sooner than" initially anticipated" indicates an earlier completion compared to the original expectation.

What phrases are similar to "is sooner than"?

Alternatives include "occurs earlier than", "happens before", or "comes earlier than", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "is sooner than" or "is earlier than"?

Both "is sooner than" and "is earlier than" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Sooner" might imply a greater degree of unexpectedness.

What's the difference between "is sooner than" and "is before"?

"Is before" simply indicates that one event precedes another. "Is sooner than", however, usually implies a comparison against an expectation or another scheduled time. For example, "The meeting "is before" lunch", versus "The meeting "is sooner than" we planned".