returning shortly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "returning shortly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone will be back soon, often in contexts like announcements or messages. Example: "The store is currently closed, but we will be returning shortly to assist you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

So they saw the mob returning, shortly after nightfall, he said, and they saw the fires.

The New York Times

I met with him recently and there is no doubt he is looking forward to returning shortly".

The Guardian

I have spent the greater part of my life there and will be returning shortly, but neither homesickness nor estrangement lie behind my wanting to see more.

The Guardian - Arts

"I am paying my respects," said Mr Simmons, 53, a limousine chauffeur who had just driven to New York with a client from Boston and would be returning shortly to take his children to school before breakfast.

Independent

Bill Parcells flew to Philadelphia with his team, but few players knew beforehand that he also made a 90-minute drive to attend the funeral service in Short Hills, N.J., returning shortly before kickoff.

The New York Times

That wasn't easy, either, because on May 24 , 2008 Marsh had married Navis Bermudez, a congressional staffer on environmental issues, and gone on a two-week honeymoon in Turkey, returning shortly before the grand jury issued its indictment.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Torre returned shortly thereafter; Knoblauch did not.

The New York Times - Sports

He returned shortly to inform me: "No.

The New York Times

(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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "returning shortly" when you want to assure someone that an absence is temporary and the return will be quick. This is especially useful in professional or formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "returning shortly" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "be right back" or "back soon" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returning shortly" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating when an action will occur. It specifies the timing of a return, suggesting it will happen soon. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "returning shortly" is a grammatically sound and usable adverbial phrase that indicates an imminent return. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers various real-world examples across News & Media, Academia, and Science. While considered neutral to formal in register, it assures audiences of a temporary absence. For more casual contexts, alternatives like "back soon" may be more appropriate. When aiming for precision and a touch of formality, "returning shortly" effectively conveys a brief interim period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coming back soon

Emphasizes the nearness of the return, using simpler language.

will be back shortly

Uses a future tense construction to indicate an imminent return.

returning presently

Replaces "shortly" with a more formal synonym, "presently".

will reappear momentarily

Suggests a very brief absence, using "momentarily" to indicate immediacy.

will be back in a moment

Indicates a brief pause before the return, specifying a short duration.

returning in a jiffy

Uses the informal term "jiffy" to emphasize a quick return.

returning imminently

Highlights the almost immediate nature of the return.

will be back before long

Uses a more idiomatic expression to suggest that the return is not far off.

returning without delay

Stresses the promptness of the return, indicating no waiting time.

will be reinstated soon

Focuses on the act of being restored or brought back, implying a return to a previous state or position.

FAQs

What does "returning shortly" mean?

The phrase "returning shortly" means that someone or something will be back soon or after a brief absence.

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

You can use "returning shortly" to indicate that someone will be back in a brief amount of time. For example, "The presenter is taking a short break and will be "returning shortly" to continue the presentation".

What can I say instead of "returning shortly"?

You can use alternatives like "coming back soon", "will be back shortly", or "returning presently" depending on the context.

Is "returning shortly" formal or informal?

"Returning shortly" is generally considered to be more formal than alternatives like "back soon" or "be right back". Choose your wording to match the context of the conversation.