not too soon

USAGE SUMMARY

"not too soon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used as an adverb and means "not before the expected or desired time". For example, "I'm happy to finally have this project finished, and not too soon!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not too soon, I hope.

Independent

God willing, not too soon".

The New Yorker

Next summer is not too soon.

The New Yorker

But it's not too soon to entertain the possibility.

The Washington Post

The end of this month is not too soon.

The New York Times

It's not too soon to start planning for your career after Stanford.

Stanford University

When and where, it is not too soon to ask, did she go wrong?

The New Yorker

It was not too soon, after thirty years of reform talk and broken French, promises.

The New Yorker

But it is not too soon to say that the Obama honeymoon is over.

The Washington Post

We must normalise policy not too soon but not too late.

The Guardian - Business

Maybe having grannies will be something to look forward to, but not too soon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not too soon" to express a sense of relief that something did not happen earlier, or to advise against premature action. For example, "The repairs are complete, and not too soon, given the upcoming storm!"

Common error

Avoid using "not too soon" when you actually mean something is overdue. "Not too soon" implies appropriate or delayed timing, not a missed deadline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too soon" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express the timing or appropriateness of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is happening at a timely or slightly delayed moment. Many examples in Ludwig illustrate this usage, often conveying a sense of relief or satisfaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "not too soon" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys the idea of opportune or slightly delayed timing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it expresses that an event or action occurred at a timely moment. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Wiki sources, indicating a neutral register. When using "not too soon", ensure you are emphasizing proper timing, not implying something is overdue. Related phrases such as "just in time" or "at the right moment" can provide suitable alternatives. The phrase has a wide range of applicability in general English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not prematurely

Emphasizes the avoidance of acting or occurring before the right time.

at the right moment

Focuses on perfect timing, suggesting an action should coincide with the ideal opportunity.

when the time is right

Indicates an action should wait until circumstances are favorable.

not hastily

Highlights the importance of avoiding rushed decisions or actions.

in due course

Suggests an event will happen eventually, at an appropriate time in the future.

not before time

Emphasizes that something is happening at the latest acceptable moment, implying a slight delay.

at the appropriate juncture

Highlights the importance of proper timing within a larger sequence of events.

when the moment is ripe

Conveys the idea that conditions must be fully developed before acting.

not precipitously

Stresses the need to avoid actions that are too sudden or abrupt.

with careful timing

Highlights the need for precision and planning in deciding when to act.

FAQs

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

Use "not too soon" to express that something is happening at a timely or slightly delayed moment. For example, "The project was finished, and "not too soon", as the deadline was approaching."

What are some alternatives to "not too soon"?

You can use alternatives such as "just in time", "at the right moment", or "none too early depending on the specific context.

Is "none too soon" the same as "not too soon"?

While similar, "none too soon" often carries a stronger implication that something was almost late or overdue, whereas ""not too soon"" can simply indicate appropriate timing.

Can "not too soon" be used sarcastically?

Yes, ""not too soon"" can be used sarcastically to imply something is very late, the opposite of its literal meaning. The tone and context will usually make the intent clear.