not right away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not right away" is correct and can be used in written English to indicate that something will not happen immediately or right now.
It is typically used in casual or informal writing, but can also be used in more formal settings depending on the context. Example: "I'll need to finish this report first, so I can't help you with your project not right away, but I'll be free in about an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Just not right away.

The New York Times

Not right away.

The New York Times

Maybe, but not right away.

The New York Times

At least not right away.

The New York Times

Not right away, but inevitably.

The New Yorker

Not right away, however.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Well, it didn't right away.

The New York Times

Once they trusted me they told me what worked (and what didn't) right away.

University of California, Berkeley

Don't right away pick out who you don't like.

WikiHow

"But we were not told right away.

The New York Times - Sports

But he did not start right away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not right away" to soften a negative response or to indicate a delay without creating a sense of urgency. It's helpful when managing expectations or providing reassurance.

Common error

Avoid using "not right away" when the intention is to completely reject a request or idea. It implies a delay, not a permanent refusal. Use clearer language if something is not going to happen at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not right away" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a delay in the action. It specifies when something will not occur, implying a future occurrence. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not right away" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something will occur, but not immediately. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience. In formal settings, alternatives like "not immediately" or "at a later date" may be more appropriate. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, academic writing and wiki articles. Overall, "not right away" is an effective way to manage expectations and convey a sense of eventual action without immediate urgency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not immediately

This alternative emphasizes the lack of instant action, focusing on the timing.

not at once

This alternative suggests that something will not occur simultaneously or instantly.

in due time

This alternative implies that something will happen eventually, but not right now.

later on

This alternative simply states that something will happen at a future time.

not in the short term

This alternative highlights that something will not happen in the near future.

down the line

This alternative suggests that something will occur at a later point in time.

at a later date

This alternative provides a more formal way of saying something will happen later.

eventually

This alternative indicates that something will happen at some point in the future, without specifying when.

after a while

This alternative suggests a period of time will pass before something happens.

in the future

This alternative broadly states that something will happen at some unspecified time in the future.

FAQs

What does "not right away" mean?

The phrase "not right away" means something will not happen immediately or instantly, but at some point in the future.

What can I say instead of "not right away"?

You can use alternatives like "not immediately", "later on", or "in due time" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "not right away" in formal writing?

While "not right away" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "at a later date" or "not in the short term" might be more suitable for formal contexts.

How do I use "not right away" in a sentence?

You can use "not right away" to indicate that something will happen, but there will be a delay. For example, "I can't help you with that project not right away, but I'll be free in an hour."