will be back shortly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be back shortly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inform someone that you will return in a brief amount of time, often in contexts like customer service or personal communication. Example: "Thank you for your patience; I will be back shortly to assist you with your inquiry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He's finished his drink, and assumes that his wife will be back shortly.

The New Yorker

I'll try to keep you up to date with events elsewhere as the evening goes on, and will be back shortly with a little more build up and team news.

The Guardian - Sport

She will be back shortly, she says, with proposals to narrow the family-reunion immigration route (including a crackdown on sham marriages), and then to make it harder for holders of time-limited visas for study or work to convert them into permanent settlement.

The Economist

We will be back shortly.

BBC

Don't worry, they will be back shortly.

TechCrunch

"YouTube is down for maintenance and will be back shortly," says the site.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I'll be back "shortly".

The Guardian - Sport

We'll be back shortly before kickoff, with lineups and more.

The New York Times

I'll be back shortly, but here's a reason that Primavera > Glastonbury.

The Guardian - Sport

"Look, I've got to go now, but I'll be back shortly I promise.

The Guardian

I'll be back shortly with lineups, predictions and probably more incredibly random Grant Morrison quotes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be back shortly" when you want to assure someone of your quick return, maintaining a polite and professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "will be back shortly" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your language with alternatives like "I'll return soon" or "I'll be right back" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be back shortly" functions as a declarative statement expressing an intention to return soon. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "will be back shortly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for indicating a temporary absence with a quick return. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's suitable for most situations requiring a polite expression of intent. While versatile, it’s advisable to vary language to avoid repetition, using alternatives like "I'll return soon" or "I'll be right back". Its frequency is common, appearing most often in news and media sources, demonstrating its applicability across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will return soon

Implies a quick return, similar to "will be back shortly" but slightly more direct.

will be right back

Very similar in meaning, suggesting an immediate return to the current location or activity.

will be back in a moment

Indicates a brief absence, synonymous with "will be back shortly".

will be with you shortly

Often used in customer service contexts, indicating someone will attend to you soon.

will be back presently

A more formal way of saying "will be back soon", implying a prompt return.

will reappear shortly

Emphasizes the act of reappearing, suitable when the return is somewhat dramatic or unexpected.

won't be long

An informal way of indicating a short absence, focusing on the brevity of the time.

will be resuming shortly

Suggests a continuation of something after a brief pause, such as a broadcast or meeting.

will be available soon

Indicates that someone or something will be accessible in the near future.

will rejoin you soon

Suitable when addressing a group, promising to return to the group shortly.

FAQs

What does "will be back shortly" mean?

It means that someone is going away temporarily but intends to return in a short amount of time. It's a polite way of saying /s/i'll+return+soon or /s/i'll+be+right+back.

How formal is the phrase "will be back shortly"?

The phrase is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in most everyday situations, from talking to colleagues to addressing customers. However, /s/will+return+presently is more formal.

What are some situations where I might use "will be back shortly"?

You can use it when stepping away from your desk at work, during a phone call when you need to check something, or when leaving a meeting briefly. It’s suitable for any scenario where you want to assure someone you'll /s/be+returning+soon.

Is it better to say "will be back shortly" or "will return shortly"?

Both phrases are correct, but "will be back shortly" is more common and conveys a slightly more casual and immediate sense of return. "Will return shortly" is a valid alternative but can sound slightly more formal. Use /s/will+return+soon as another alternative.