real soon

USAGE SUMMARY

"real soon" is considered correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a time or action that will occur shortly or quickly. For example, "I'll be ready to leave real soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Real soon.

The New York Times

"I'll be dead real soon," he figured.

The New York Times

"Not real soon," Admiral Mullen evenly replied.

The New York Times

Dempsey may be on real soon.

The Guardian - Sport

"They said they'd call me back real soon".

The New York Times

It continues, "I hope you come home real soon".

The New York Times

She hoped to hear from the lawyer there "real soon".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I will have something to say real soon," he said.

The Guardian

Then he clarified: "We'll be back real soon".

The New York Times - Arts

"I'll be borrowing money from him real soon".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm sure you'll see it again real soon".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "real soon" in informal contexts to indicate that something will happen in the very near future. This phrase adds a sense of immediacy and anticipation to your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "real soon" in formal or professional settings, as it may sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "shortly" or "in the near future" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real soon" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action or event. It specifies when something will occur. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "real soon" is an adverbial phrase used to indicate that something will occur in the very near future. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and is frequently used, particularly in informal contexts, news articles, and media. While it effectively conveys immediacy and anticipation, it should be used cautiously in more formal settings. Consider alternatives like "shortly" or "in the near future" for professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Very soon

Substitutes "real" with "very", maintaining similar meaning but slightly increasing formality.

Shortly

Uses a single adverb to convey the same meaning in a more concise and slightly more formal way.

In a short time

More descriptive and slightly more formal alternative that means something will happen quickly.

Sometime soon

Indicates an unspecified point in the near future, slightly less definite than "real soon".

In the near future

Replaces the informal adverbial phrase with a more formal and explicit expression of time.

Before long

Suggests that the wait will not be extensive, implying a relatively short duration.

Coming up

Emphasizes the imminence of an event, often used in announcements or informal conversations.

In a bit

Informal expression indicating a short period of time, common in casual speech.

Quickly

Focuses on the speed of the action rather than the precise timing, implying it will happen without delay.

Presently

Offers a slightly more formal and less common way to indicate something will happen soon.

FAQs

What does "real soon" mean?

"Real soon" is an informal phrase meaning that something will happen very shortly or in the near future. It implies a sense of immediacy and anticipation.

Is "real soon" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "real soon" is generally considered too informal for formal writing. In formal contexts, it's better to use alternatives like "shortly", "in the near future", or "very soon".

What are some alternatives to "real soon"?

Alternatives to "real soon" include "shortly", "in the near future", "before long", or "sometime soon". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

How can I use "real soon" in a sentence?

You can use "real soon" to indicate that something will happen quickly. For example, "I'll be there real soon" or "The project will be completed real soon".