soon it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "soon it was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened quickly or shortly after a previous event or situation. Example: "The sun began to set, and soon it was dark outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Soon it was freestyle time.

The New Yorker

Soon it was 4-4.

The New York Times - Sports

Soon, it was sharing time.

The New York Times

Soon, it was dark out.

The New Yorker

Soon, it was nobody's revolution.

The New Yorker

Soon it was Ryan Harrison.

The New York Times

Soon, it was two.

The Guardian - Sport

Soon it was another people's turn.

The New York Times

Soon, it was covered with itchy welts.

The New York Times

Soon it was Arnold Schwarzenegger's turn.

The Economist

And soon it was time for dessert.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "soon it was" to create a sense of immediacy and transition in your writing, effectively linking events in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid overusing "soon it was" in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes sound informal. Opt for more precise or sophisticated transitional phrases like "subsequently" or "thereafter" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

"Soon it was" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a temporal relationship. It establishes a sequence of events, signaling that something occurred not long after a previous event. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate this function clearly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soon it was" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adverbial phrase, predominantly found in News & Media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this expression effectively denotes a swift transition from one situation to another. It's best used to add narrative flow, but should be used cautiously in more formal writing scenarios, opting for more sophisticated phrases like "subsequently" if a more elevated tone is desired. Its common alternatives include "shortly thereafter, it became" and "it quickly became".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it quickly became

Highlights the speed at which something changed.

it wasn't long before it was

Emphasizes the lack of delay between events.

shortly thereafter, it became

Emphasizes the brief time interval before the subsequent event.

almost immediately, it was

Focuses on the instantaneous nature of the following event.

before long, it happened that

Highlights the quick passage of time leading to the event.

very soon after, it turned out to be

Stresses the proximity in time and the resulting situation.

in short order, it turned into

Stresses the efficiency and speed of the transformation.

presently, it came to be

Implies a gradual unfolding leading to the eventual state.

in due course, it evolved into

Suggests a natural progression and development over a reasonable timeframe.

after a while, it was now

Indicates a more extended period before the new state arose.

FAQs

How can I use "soon it was" in a sentence?

"Soon it was" is typically used to indicate a quick transition from one state or event to another. For example, "The rain started softly, and "soon it was" pouring."

What are some alternatives to "soon it was"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "shortly thereafter, it became", "before long, it happened that", or "it quickly became" to convey a similar meaning. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance in terms of speed and impact.

Is "soon it was" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "soon it was" may sound too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter" for a more professional tone.

How does "soon it was" differ from "later it was"?

"Soon it was" implies a shorter time frame than "later it was". "Soon" suggests that the event happened relatively quickly after the initial situation, while "later" indicates a more extended period.