until shortly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until shortly" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used to indicate a time frame that extends up to a brief period in the near future, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "We will be waiting until shortly before the meeting starts."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Refrigerate until shortly before serving.

The New York Times

Well, at least until shortly after kickoff.

The New York Times - Sports

Cover, and refrigerate until shortly before serving.

The New York Times - Food

Don't toss with the dressing until shortly before serving.

The New York Times

He remained active until shortly before his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Keep in the refrigerator until shortly before cooking.

The New York Times - Health

Intraday markets for electricity allow for trading of energy until shortly before the period of delivery.

Energy Policy

Her public duties continued until shortly before her death.

Britannica

He continued to perform until shortly before his death.

Britannica

He was the board's chairman until shortly before his death.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"This trial is scheduled to last until shortly before Christmas," he told them.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider restructuring your sentence to avoid the phrase "until shortly" altogether. Often, rephrasing will result in a more natural and concise expression.

Common error

Avoid relying on "until shortly" as a standard phrase. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until shortly" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time duration that extends to a point just before a specified event. The examples in Ludwig, even if it suggests that the expression is not very common, display its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until shortly" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time duration leading up to a specified event. While Ludwig AI considers the phrase to have potential for sounding awkward, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. It is often used to provide instructions or to specify deadlines and cutoff points. When using "until shortly", ensure the context is clear and consider alternative expressions like "until just before" for improved clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until just before

Specifies a point in time immediately preceding an event.

up to shortly before

Adds emphasis to the proximity in time.

until right before

Emphasizes the immediacy of the preceding time.

until the moment before

Highlights the very last instant preceding the event.

until nearly before

Indicates approximation in timing.

until close to

Emphasizes the nearness in time without specifying the exact moment.

until almost before

Highlights the near completion of the duration.

until the brink of

Implies reaching the edge of a temporal boundary.

leading up to shortly before

Adds a sense of progression to the temporal proximity.

in the time leading up to shortly before

Extends the time horizon up until the brief moment preceding the specific event.

FAQs

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

Use "until shortly" to indicate that something will continue up to a brief period before a specific event. For example: "Refrigerate until shortly before serving."

What are some alternatives to "until shortly"?

You can use alternatives like "until just before", "up to shortly before", or "until right before" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "until shortly before" or "until right before"?

Both "until shortly before" and "until right before" are acceptable, but "until right before" might sound more emphatic and immediate. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "until shortly before" and "almost immediately before"?

"Until shortly before" suggests a brief period leading up to an event, while "almost immediately before" indicates that the event happens very close in time. "Almost immediately before" emphasizes the immediacy more strongly.