shortly ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shortly ago" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "a short while ago" or "not long ago." Example: "I saw her a short while ago at the coffee shop."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Game Awards, an event that's exactly what it sounds like, took place shortly ago and, like any gaming event, it was shot through with trailers and announcements.

TechCrunch

Njalla, likewise, has prohibitions against "illegal activities" but nothing pertaining to hate speech, harassment, abuse, etc. Update: While Njalla did not initially respond to my requests for comment, founder Peter Sunde Kolmisoppi contacted me shortly ago to say that Hatreon is in fact not welcome on the service, although it was not reflected in the FAQ or terms.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A couple of weeks ago, shortly after the Amazon C.E.O.

The New Yorker

Some weeks ago, shortly before Nigeria's independence day, I received a mass text message.

The New York Times

Four years ago, shortly after we celebrated my nephew's birthday, England lost to Portugal.

The New Yorker

By Illah Nourbakhsh December 16, 2013 A couple of weeks ago, shortly after the Amazon C.E.O.

The New Yorker

Twelve months ago, shortly after the enlistment of Farbrace from Sri Lanka, there was similar talk.

The Guardian - Sport

Photograph: Ana Nance/Redux A couple of weeks ago, shortly after the Amazon C.E.O.

The New Yorker

He began using cocaine 5 years ago, shortly before hiring 2 members of the Pagans for his roofing business.

The New Yorker

The new ocean began closing some 155 million years ago, shortly after the beginning of the major disintegration of Gondwanaland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He said Mr. Adebolajo had stopped attending meetings a few years ago, shortly before the group was banned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "shortly ago" in formal writing. Instead, opt for phrases like "a short while ago" or "recently" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "shortly ago" can sound awkward to native English speakers. Remember that "shortly" typically modifies a verb, not another adverb like "ago".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shortly ago" is intended to function as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurred. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to the improper combination of "shortly" and "ago".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shortly ago" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. While Ludwig's examples show its occasional appearance, it's advisable to use alternatives like "a short while ago", "recently", or "not long ago" for clarity and correctness. The phrase aims to convey that an event occurred in the recent past, but its non-standard structure diminishes its effectiveness and acceptance in formal writing. It's better to use it in non-formal conversation with caution given its incorrect structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short while ago

Replaces "shortly ago" with a more grammatically standard phrase indicating a recent occurrence.

not long ago

Substitutes "shortly ago" with a common idiom that also describes a recent event.

just recently

Emphasizes the recency of the event using "just" for added impact.

very recently

Highlights the extreme recency of the event.

a little while back

Offers a more casual way to express that something happened recently.

just a moment ago

Indicates something happened in the very near past.

in recent times

Shifts the focus to a period rather than a specific moment.

in the recent past

Formally indicates a time frame not far from the present.

in the immediate past

Stresses that the event occurred right before the present moment.

in recent days

Specifies the timeframe to just the last few days.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "shortly ago"?

The phrase "shortly ago" is not considered grammatically correct. Use phrases like "a short while ago" or "not long ago" instead.

Is "shortly ago" ever appropriate in writing?

While you might occasionally find "shortly ago" in informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for more standard expressions such as "recently" or "just now" to ensure clarity and correctness.

What can I use instead of "shortly ago" in an email?

For professional emails, use alternatives like "a moment ago" or "just recently". These options provide a clear and grammatically sound way to indicate a recent event.

How does the meaning of "shortly ago" compare to "recently"?

"Recently" generally refers to something that happened not long before the present, which is the intended meaning of "shortly ago". However, "recently" is the grammatically accepted choice.