left soon after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left soon after" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone departed a place shortly following a specific event or time. Example: "She finished her meeting and left soon after to catch her flight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I left soon after.

The New Yorker

Some left soon after.

The New York Times - Arts

Willis left soon after.

The New Yorker

He left soon after.

The New York Times

The writer left soon after.

The New Yorker

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley left soon after with a strained hamstring.

The New York Times

He left soon after, for a deputy headship elsewhere.

The Guardian

We left soon after on another khat flight.

The New York Times

He left soon after Livy's husband, Conyers, joined them.

The New Yorker

(Mr. di Bonaventura left soon after for unrelated reasons).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The commander leaves soon after, only to be manhanded and kidnapped at the base.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. While "left soon after" is generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "departed shortly thereafter" may be appropriate in academic or professional settings.

Common error

Be careful not to use "left soon after" without a clear reference point. For example, instead of saying "He left soon after", specify what he left soon after, such as "He left soon after the meeting concluded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left soon after" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action (leaving) in relation to another event. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left soon after" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating a departure shortly following an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most commonly found in news and media, with neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the preceding event to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "departed shortly thereafter" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departed shortly thereafter

Replaces "soon after" with "shortly thereafter", maintaining a formal tone and implying a brief time interval.

left immediately afterward

Substitutes "soon after" with "immediately afterward", emphasizing the lack of delay in departure.

exited shortly after that

Uses "exited" for "left" and adds "that" for clarity, keeping the meaning of leaving a place not long after a specific time.

followed by an immediate departure

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase, highlighting the quickness of the departure.

promptly took their leave

Replaces "left" with a more formal "took their leave", indicating a timely and polite departure.

subsequently went away

Uses "subsequently" and "went away" to soften the directness of "left soon after", implying a slightly longer time interval.

made a swift exit

Focuses on the speed of leaving, implying a hasty departure shortly after an event.

withdrew shortly after

Employs "withdrew" to suggest a more considered departure, but still within a short time frame.

soon afterward, they were gone

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the quick disappearance following an event.

quickly absented themselves

Presents a formal way of saying they left quickly, suitable for sophisticated contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "left soon after" in a sentence?

Use "left soon after" to indicate that someone departed a place or situation shortly following a specific event or time. For example: "She finished her presentation and "left soon after" to catch her train."

What are some alternatives to "left soon after"?

You can use alternatives like "departed shortly thereafter", "left immediately afterward", or "exited shortly after that" depending on the context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "left soon after" or "departed soon after"?

Both ""left soon after"" and "departed soon after" are correct, but "departed" is generally considered more formal. Choose the option that best suits the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "left soon after" and "left shortly after"?

The phrases ""left soon after"" and "left shortly after" are very similar and often interchangeable. Both indicate that a departure occurred a short time after a specific event. The difference is negligible.