not long from now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not long from now" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something will happen in the near future. Example: "The meeting will start not long from now, so please make sure you are prepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Not long from now, Facebook will be a frighteningly centralized database containing the information of about a half-billion people.

The New York Times - Books

Not long from now the FCC will decide whether or not to allow Comcast to takeover Time Warner.

The Guardian - Tech

Machines will be able to think not long from now, and as the descendants of slaves, they won't be happy".

The New York Times - Books

But I remind myself that if I can't learn to let go now, I'll be unequipped to support the kids when they (not long from now) go anyway.

The New York Times

One day, not long from now, it will be hard to remember what worried people so much about gay and lesbian couples committing themselves to marriage.

The New Yorker

It's not hard to imagine a time, not long from now, when advocates decide that more proactive measures are needed in order to protect our speech rights online.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Now, with "Sam & Cat" not long from memory, she's already a credible arena act.

Los Angeles Times

I wouldn't be surprised if, not too long from now, a graduate of AFSE creates a robot with more sophisticated skills to help solve a problem or a pain point, in her workplace or in his community.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, that's not the case: one day, perhaps not very long from now, the situation will spin out of our control.

The New Yorker

In a quiz adapted from A Question of Sport - with TV execs pitched against their offspring and focusing on kids' TV and meejah - it was not difficult to imagine Skomer Bennett-Clemmow and Annelies de Jong (Heggessey Jr) running the British media not too long from now.

The Guardian

And so, not too long from now, will we.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not long from now" to create a sense of anticipation or immediacy, particularly when discussing future plans or predictions.

Common error

Avoid using "not long from now" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise timeframes or formal alternatives like "in the near future" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not long from now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something will happen. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase signals that an event will occur in the near future. Its role is to specify the timing of an event, making it a temporal adverbial.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not long from now" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something will happen in the near future. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "soon" or "in the near future" for stylistic variation. The phrase functions adverbially, expressing anticipation and expectation about events coming up.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soon

This alternative is shorter and more direct, implying a shorter time span.

before long

This alternative implies that the wait will not be lengthy.

shortly

This alternative suggests imminence and a quick arrival of the event.

coming soon

A common and concise way to indicate an upcoming event.

in the near future

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the general time frame.

in the not-too-distant future

This alternative is a more emphatic version, stressing that the future is close.

in a little while

This alternative indicates a brief period before the event.

in the coming days

This alternative specifies that the event will occur within the next few days.

in short order

Implies that the event will happen quickly and efficiently.

in due course

This alternative emphasizes the natural progression of time, suggesting the event will happen when it's meant to.

FAQs

How can I use "not long from now" in a sentence?

You can use "not long from now" to indicate that something will happen in the near future. For example, "The project will be completed "not long from now", so we need to prepare for the launch".

What are some alternatives to "not long from now"?

Some alternatives to "not long from now" include "soon", "in the near future", or "shortly", depending on the context.

Is "not long from now" formal or informal?

"Not long from now" is generally considered neutral and suitable for most contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, using a more precise or formal alternative might be preferable.

What's the difference between "not long from now" and "soon"?

"Soon" is a more concise way of saying "not long from now", which is slightly more descriptive. Both indicate that something will happen in the near future, but "not long from now" may emphasize the anticipation or expectation.