really soon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really soon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will happen in a short amount of time. Example: "I will get back to you really soon with the updates on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Really soon.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hopefully, his return is really soon".

The New York Times - Sports

I'll have to find one really soon.

The New Yorker

And we would go really soon.

The New Yorker

"Well, when are you coming back?" "Really soon.

The New Yorker

"Johnny doesn't see the end of his career really soon".

The New York Times - Sports

"There will be a sushi dinner sometime really soon".

The New York Times

"Otherwise, it's really hard and you will quit really soon".

The New Yorker

You just got to hope for the best and hopefully it ends really soon".

The New York Times - Sports

"Or you'll look old enough for the character parts really soon".

The New Yorker

First, they hinted that a decision could come really soon, like this week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really soon" when you want to emphasize that something will happen quickly and without much delay. It's suitable for both casual and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "really" excessively in your writing, as it can weaken your message. Consider stronger alternatives like "immediately" or "promptly" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really soon" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timing or duration of an action. As evidenced by Ludwig, it specifies that something will occur in the near future. It is common to see it in contexts where conveying immediacy is important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really soon" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates something will happen in the near future. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider stronger alternatives for emphasis. Understanding its function and contexts allows for effective communication in both casual and semi-formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very shortly

Substitutes both adverbs with alternatives emphasizing brevity.

in the near future

Replaces the adverb "really" with a prepositional phrase, conveying a more formal tone.

before long

An idiomatic alternative suggesting the event will happen relatively quickly.

just around the corner

Employs an idiomatic expression to indicate imminence.

imminently

Replaces the phrase with a single, more formal adverb.

coming up quickly

Uses a present participle construction to highlight the impending nature of the event.

presently

A more formal synonym suggesting something will happen without much delay.

in a little while

Offers a more casual and less precise estimation of time.

expeditiously

Replaces the phrase with a single adverb, stressing efficiency and quickness.

in a heartbeat

Emphasizes the speed and certainty of the event occurring.

FAQs

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

You can use "really soon" to indicate that something will happen in a short amount of time. For example, "I'll get back to you "really soon" with the updates".

What can I say instead of "really soon"?

You can use alternatives like "very shortly", "in the near future", or "just around the corner depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "really really soon"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "really really soon" can sound repetitive and informal. Consider using a stronger adverb like "immediately" or simply emphasizing the urgency in a different way.

What is the difference between "soon" and "really soon"?

"Soon" indicates that something will happen in the near future, while ""really soon"" emphasizes that it will happen very quickly or without delay. The addition of "really" intensifies the immediacy.