it won't be long before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it won't be long before" is a correct and usable phrase in written English
It can be used to describe a situation in which something (usually an event or change) is expected to happen soon. For example: "It won't be long before summer is here and the days get longer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It won't be long before smart women wouldn't be seen dead in one.

The New Yorker

But it won't be long before it's eclipsed.

Independent

It won't be long before it is reimmured.

The New York Times

It won't be long before we see Chicken Noodle Isiah".

The New York Times

It won't be long before everybody knows his name".

The New York Times - Sports

But it won't be long before he gets it back".

The New York Times - Sports

It won't be long before I'm back on the trail.

The Guardian - Travel

It won't be long before these lovebirds get back together.

The Guardian - Film

But it won't be long before he's lifting a major.

The Guardian - Sport

It won't be long before she goes under.

The New York Times

It won't be long before someone gets a double-hundred in  Twenty20 match.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it won't be long before" to create anticipation about a future event or change. Be sure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it won't be long before" if the 'it' is ambiguous. Always ensure that 'it' clearly refers to something previously mentioned to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it won't be long before" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a short duration until a future event. It sets a temporal expectation. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it won't be long before" is a common and versatile phrase used to indicate that something is expected to happen soon. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, the phrase appears frequently in news and media contexts to create anticipation or prediction. The phrase maintains a neutral tone. Make sure the context clearly defines what “it” refers to. Considering the examples provided by Ludwig, this is a reliable expression to use in a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it will soon happen that

Emphasizes the quickness of the event's arrival.

it's only a matter of time until

Focuses on the inevitability of the event.

it's fast approaching when

Emphasizes the quickness of approach.

expect something shortly

Highlights the expectation.

the time is near when

Formal alternative, highlights the approaching moment.

we can anticipate that soon

Highlights anticipation and timing.

it's not far off when

Casual, stresses nearness in time.

it is anticipated that shortly

More formal and emphasizes expectation.

the coming time will bring

Literary, suggests a future outcome.

the event is imminent

Highlights the closeness of the predicted event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it won't be long before"?

You can use alternatives like "it will soon happen that", "the time is near when", or "it's only a matter of time until" depending on the context.

Is "it won't be long before" formal or informal?

The phrase "it won't be long before" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, more precise alternatives may be preferred.

What does "it won't be long before" mean?

It means that something is expected to happen soon or in the near future. It expresses anticipation of an event or change.

Can I use "it will be long before" instead of "it won't be long before"?

No, "it will be long before" has the opposite meaning. It indicates that a significant amount of time will pass before something happens, while "it won't be long before" indicates it will happen soon.