return shortly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "return shortly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone will be back in a brief amount of time. Example: "Please leave a message; I will return shortly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Never fear--they'll return shortly).

The New York Times

The Iranian ambassador to Baku is due to return shortly.

The Economist

STAMFORD "Your Content Will Return Shortly," group show.

The New York Times

"I definitely was rehired," Mr. Segal said of his brief return, shortly after the second firing.

The New York Times

Pearce may return shortly, but unfortunately, he is not a pitcher.

The New York Times - Sports

STAMFORD Franklin Street Works "Your Content Will Return Shortly," group show.

The New York Times

Yared Getachew speaking in a panicky voice as he requested to return shortly before losing contact.

The Washington Post

The running of Danny Welbeck who is expected to return shortly from injury?

The Guardian - Sport

Two cousins were professors, and Selig said he expected to return shortly after graduation to further his studies.

The New York Times - Sports

"For the time being, everything is on standby as the player is currently on his honeymoon but will return shortly".

The Guardian - Sport

Like Scrawdyke, Halliwell had been expelled from Huddersfield College of Art, though he was allowed to return shortly afterwards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "return shortly" when you want to convey a brief and temporary absence. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, indicating that someone or something will be back in a short amount of time.

Common error

Avoid using "return shortly" when a precise time of return is known. If you know the exact time, specify it instead (e.g., "return in 5 minutes") to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return shortly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timeframe in which an action of returning will occur. Ludwig provides several examples where this phrase is used to describe the timing of someone's comeback.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sports

19%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

25%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "return shortly" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a brief absence. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and assuring that the absence is temporary. It is used across various contexts, from news and sports to academia, with a neutral register suitable for many situations. For more formal scenarios, consider using precise timing, while for more casual settings, "be back soon" or "be right back" may be more appropriate. Knowing the differences helps ensure effective communication in any scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be back soon

Indicates an imminent return, focusing on the nearness of the return rather than the action of returning.

come back shortly

A more explicit form using "come back" instead of "return", but with identical meaning and timeframe.

reappear soon

Highlights the act of reappearing after a short absence, emphasizing the visual aspect of the return.

return momentarily

Emphasizes the brief duration before the return, using "momentarily" to indicate a very short time.

get back shortly

Focuses on the action of getting back, implying a return to a previous state or location.

come back momentarily

Like 'return momentarily' this highlights the brief duration before the return using "come back".

be right back

An informal way to say someone will return quickly, commonly used in spoken language.

be back in a moment

Similar to "be right back", but slightly more formal, indicating a brief pause before returning.

resume shortly

Indicates that an activity or process will start again after a brief pause, rather than a person returning.

re-emerge soon

Suggests a return from obscurity or a hidden state, implying a more significant or noticeable return.

FAQs

How can I use "return shortly" in a sentence?

You can use "return shortly" to indicate that someone or something will be back in a short amount of time. For example, "The speaker will "return shortly" after a brief intermission."

What are some alternatives to saying "return shortly"?

Alternatives include "be back soon", "be right back", or "return momentarily" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "return shortly" or "be back soon"?

"Return shortly" is generally considered more formal than "be back soon", which is more casual. Choose the phrasing that best fits the tone of your writing or conversation.

What's the difference between "return shortly" and "return immediately"?

"Return shortly" implies a brief delay, while "return immediately" suggests there should be no delay at all. The choice depends on the urgency of the situation.