very early

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very early" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened before the usual or expected time. Example sentence: We woke up very early and got to the trailhead well before the sun had risen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Polanski left very early.

The Guardian - Film

It's very early on".

The New York Times

(Very early beginners can draw).

The New York Times

Nexus One was very early.

The New York Times

It is very early days".

The New York Times

"It's very early days yet.

The New York Times

These are very early days.

The Economist

He gets up very early.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We silenced them very early.

Independent

We're very early on.

MIT Technology Review

Very early in life.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or developments, use "very early" to emphasize that they occurred sooner than expected or at the beginning of a process. For example, "The company invested in AI technology very early, giving them a competitive edge."

Common error

Avoid using "very early" merely as an intensifier without adding substantial meaning. Instead of saying "the meeting started very early", consider specifying the exact time or emphasizing the unexpected timing, for example, "the meeting started at 6 a.m., much earlier than scheduled."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very early" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "early". According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something happened before the usual or expected time. Examples show it modifying verbs to describe the timing of actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very early" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "early" to emphasize that something happened sooner than expected. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's frequently used in news and media, as well as in academic contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While "very early" is a common and versatile phrase, writers should be mindful of potential redundancy and consider using more descriptive alternatives when appropriate. Ludwig's examples provide a clear picture of its varied applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well in advance

Emphasizes acting or occurring significantly before a specific time.

ahead of schedule

Focuses on completing something before the planned deadline.

at the crack of dawn

Specifically refers to the very beginning of the day.

at first light

Similar to 'at the crack of dawn', referring to the beginning of daylight.

in its infancy

Highlights the initial developmental stage of something.

prematurely

Indicates something happening too soon.

before the deadline

Focuses on completing a task before it's due.

in the initial phase

Highlights that something is in a starting state.

in record time

Emphasizes the speed at which something was accomplished.

before anyone else

Focuses on priority and being first.

FAQs

How can I use "very early" in a sentence?

You can use "very early" to indicate something happened or began sooner than expected. For instance, "The seedlings sprouted "very early" this year due to the mild winter."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "very early"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "well in advance", "ahead of schedule", or "at the crack of dawn" to provide a more vivid picture.

Is it correct to say "very early on"?

Yes, "very early on" is a common and acceptable variation of "very early", often used to emphasize that something happened at the beginning of a process or period. For example, "Very early on, the company recognized the potential of the new technology."

What's the difference between "early" and "very early"?

"Very early" simply intensifies "early", indicating that something happened much sooner than usual. The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey. For example, instead of saying something happened "early", you could say it happened "very early" if it was unexpectedly soon.