shortly was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shortly was" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to indicate that something happened soon after a certain point in time, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The meeting shortly was concluded after the discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"The fact that my wife and I were getting married shortly was more of an issue.

The New York Times

An inhabitant of the region informed us that it shortly was taken down for a souvenir.

The New Yorker

However, the pineapple was swiftly returned, and shortly was displayed again, with the name Mohammed changed to that of Jesus".

The Guardian - Opinion

Surprised by a "Vote for Sally Johnson for the RTM" sign (posted by a friend), she was elected, and shortly was voted Chairman of the Second District.

The New York Times

At the end of the 19th century, when the first small, attractive were found in Greece, the market very shortly was flooded with a myriad of fraudulent Tanagra terra-cotta statuettes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The terrain selected for the Rye walk was to the north of Playland, but the group, shortly, was asked to leave, in accordance with the Governor's proclamation protecting the woods during the drought.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The house will shortly be demolished.

Independent

Independent filmmakers worldwide will shortly be salivating.

The New York Times - Tech

They will shortly be leaving it.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile shareholders will shortly being rolling in it".

The New York Times

Meanwhile shareholders will shortly be rolling in it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "shortly was" in your writing. It's grammatically awkward and can confuse readers. Opt for alternatives like "was shortly" or "shortly after" for clearer communication.

Common error

Be mindful of the proper word order. "Shortly" typically modifies the verb, so ensure it's placed correctly, such as "was shortly" or "will shortly be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shortly was" attempts to function as an adverbial modifier indicating a brief period of time before something occurred. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is usually better conveyed using alternative constructions such as "was shortly" or "shortly after".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shortly was" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, suggesting that alternative phrases like "was shortly" or "shortly after" are more appropriate. While it appears occasionally in news and media sources, its incorrectness detracts from its utility in academic or professional contexts. Therefore, it's best to use the suggested alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was shortly

Reverses the word order to create a more grammatically sound phrase.

shortly after

Indicates something happened soon after a specific event.

soon after

Similar to "shortly after" but with a slightly different emphasis.

immediately after

Emphasizes the immediacy of the sequence of events.

shortly following

A more formal alternative indicating temporal succession.

was soon

A shorter and more direct way to express that something happened quickly.

quickly was

While not always ideal, this construction can sometimes fit a sentence structure more smoothly than 'shortly was'.

it wasn't long before

A more idiomatic way to express a short time interval.

in short order

An idiom indicating that something happened quickly and efficiently.

almost immediately

Highlights the near-instantaneous nature of the following event.

FAQs

Is "shortly was" grammatically correct?

No, "shortly was" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The adverb "shortly" should typically precede the verb it modifies, so "was shortly" is the more appropriate construction.

What's a better way to phrase "shortly was"?

Alternatives to "shortly was" include "was shortly", "shortly after", or "soon after", depending on the context.

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

To use "shortly" correctly, place it before the main verb or auxiliary verb. For example, "The meeting will shortly begin" or "He was shortly informed of the decision" are grammatically sound.

Are there contexts where "shortly was" might be acceptable?

While generally incorrect, some non-standard or archaic usages might exist, but it's best to avoid "shortly was" in formal or contemporary writing. Opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives like "was shortly" or "shortly thereafter".