prematurely

USAGE SUMMARY

'prematurely' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb, used to describe something that happens or is done before the expected or proper time. For example, "The baby was born prematurely, six weeks before its due date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To try to close down that debate prematurely is both arrogant and plain wrong".

The Guardian

There was insufficient time to pursue with the prime minister the possible Australian political analogies of a plotline in which a leader apparently set for a long reign is cut down prematurely.

The Guardian

Which it was, having been prematurely ignited by an over-eager squaddie.

The Guardian - Music

The 36-year-old musician, his crinkly curls prematurely greying, his mouth fast to resolve into a smile, is not bragging.

The Guardian

Gilbert says that stopping them prematurely will not directly increase the risk of resistance – that more commonly happens with prolonged treatment on suboptimal doses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A doctor in Baba Amr, Muhammad al-Muhammad, says prematurely born babies are dying in the area because of the lack of incubators.

The Guardian

Research has found that 20% of anorexia sufferers will die prematurely.

The Guardian - Music

News of the commission has broken prematurely after the rival screenwriter Andrew Davies was asked at a broadcasting conference what new adaptations he was pondering, and mentioned the Zola novel.

The Guardian

I'm not the type to panic prematurely in a crisis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The trial will be stopped prematurely if the mortality rate is under 40%." Blood plasma has been tried in the past against Ebola.

The Guardian

On the other, there are the doomsayers who warn that he might be another Aaron Lennon, his football talents prematurely frozen in carbonite.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prematurely" to emphasize that an event or action occurred earlier than expected or desired. It's particularly effective when highlighting potential negative consequences of acting too soon.

Common error

Avoid using "premature" when you need an adverb. "Premature" is an adjective. For example, say "The agreement ended prematurely", not "The agreement ended premature".

Linguistic Context

"Prematurely" functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action or event occurred before the expected or appropriate time. Ludwig AI validates its correct and frequent usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prematurely" functions as an adverb indicating that something occurs before its expected or appropriate time. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific domains. While its register remains neutral, understanding its function and related phrases like "too early" and "before time" can enhance writing precision. Avoiding confusion with the adjective "premature" is crucial for correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too early

Indicates something happening before the appropriate or expected time, focusing on the timing.

too soon

Similar to "too early", emphasizing that the timing is not yet right for something to occur.

before time

Suggests an action or event taking place ahead of schedule or the designated moment.

ahead of schedule

Implies completing something sooner than planned, often in a structured or project-oriented context.

untimely

Highlights the inappropriateness or misfortune of the timing, adding a negative connotation.

premature

Functions as an adjective describing something that is too early or before the expected time; whereas 'prematurely' is an adverb.

precociously

Refers to advanced development or maturity at a young age, often in intellectual or artistic contexts.

precipitately

Indicates acting or occurring with excessive haste or suddenness, potentially leading to negative consequences.

beforehand

Suggests doing something in advance to be prepared, implying planning and anticipation.

in advance

Highlights completing an action or task earlier than necessary, focusing on preparedness and forward-thinking.

FAQs

How is "prematurely" used in a sentence?

"Prematurely" is an adverb that describes something happening sooner than expected. For example, "The negotiations ended "prematurely" due to disagreements."

What's the difference between "prematurely" and "premature"?

"Prematurely" is an adverb modifying a verb, while "premature" is an adjective describing a noun. You would say "He made a "premature" decision" (adjective) but "He decided "prematurely"" (adverb).

Are there synonyms for "prematurely" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "too early", "before time", or "untimely depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "prematurely"?

Use "prematurely" when you want to emphasize that something happened before its proper or expected time, especially when there are negative implications. For example, "The trial was stopped "prematurely"."