not soon enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"not soon enough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example sentence: I have been waiting for this moment for too long, and it can't come not soon enough.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's not soon enough.

The New Yorker

Not soon enough.

Forbes

"Obviously not soon enough".

The New Yorker

But not soon enough.

The New York Times

Maybe not soon enough.

The New York Times - Arts

"Not enough, not soon enough," it said.

The New York Times

He died, but not soon enough".

The New York Times

That is not soon enough for some.

The New York Times

"Not soon enough," he says.

The New Yorker

Soon, he said, but not soon enough.

The New York Times

"Not immediately and not soon enough".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not soon enough" to express impatience or a desire for something to happen faster than it is currently projected to. It works well when acknowledging a scheduled event or action but conveying that the timing is still inadequate.

Common error

Avoid using "not soon enough" when a situation requires immediate action without any delay. Phrases like "immediately" or "right now" are more appropriate when conveying absolute urgency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not soon enough" functions as an adverbial phrase expressing dissatisfaction with the timing of an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not soon enough" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey impatience or dissatisfaction with the timing of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the phrase accurately reflects a desire for quicker action or resolution. Alternative phrases like "the sooner the better" or "long overdue" can be used to add nuance to your expression depending on the precise nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sooner the better

Expresses a preference for something to happen as early as possible, highlighting a desire for immediacy.

can't wait any longer

Emphasizes the speaker's inability to endure further waiting, conveying a stronger sense of urgency.

none too soon

Indicates that an event happened just in time, and any later would have been detrimental.

overdue

Similar to "long overdue" but can also be used in contexts where something is simply past its deadline.

without delay

Stresses the importance of immediate action and the absence of any further waiting.

long overdue

Indicates that something should have happened a considerable time ago, implying a greater delay than "not soon enough".

past time

Implies that the appropriate time for something has already passed, suggesting a missed opportunity or a need for immediate action.

should have happened already

Highlights that the event's timing is delayed and undesirable.

better late than never

Acknowledges a delay but emphasizes the value of something happening eventually, rather than not at all.

more haste less speed

Suggests a need for quicker action, though it often implies hastiness can lead to mistakes.

FAQs

How can I use "not soon enough" in a sentence?

You can use "not soon enough" to express that something is happening, but at a pace slower than desired. For instance, "The new policy will be implemented next year, but that's "not soon enough" for those affected now."

What does "not soon enough" mean?

"Not soon enough" indicates that an event or action is occurring, but the timing is unsatisfactory because it is too slow or delayed.

What can I say instead of "not soon enough"?

Alternatives include "the sooner the better", "overdue", or "long overdue" depending on the specific context and the degree of impatience you want to express.

Is "not soon enough" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not soon enough" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express dissatisfaction with the timing of an event or action.