Differences Between "Soon" and "Shortly": When to Use Each
Are "soon" and "shortly" truly interchangeable? Should you be careful to use them differently depending on the context?
Understanding these nuances can help you choose the most appropriate word in various situations, improving your communication skills in English.
1. The Nuances Between "Soon" and "Shortly"
Both "soon" and "shortly" indicate that something will happen in the near future, but they have slightly different connotations.
- Soon is more commonly used in everyday conversations and is more flexible. It suggests that something will happen in the near future, but it doesn’t specify exactly when. Depending on the situation or speaker, "soon" could mean anything from a few minutes to several hours.
- Shortly is more formal and carries a stronger sense of immediacy. It typically means that something will happen very soon, implying a shorter time frame than "soon."
2. Example Sentences: "Soon" vs. "Shortly"
Let’s compare these two words using example sentences:
- "The meeting will start soon" implies that the meeting is expected to begin in the near future, but the exact timing is not emphasized.
- "The meeting will start shortly" suggests that the meeting is about to begin in a few minutes, creating a stronger sense of immediacy.
3. When to Use "Soon"
You can use "soon" in casual conversations when there’s no strict need to emphasize timing. It's appropriate for everyday situations where the timing is somewhat flexible or unclear.
For example, if you say, "I'll get back to you soon," it’s understood that you’ll respond in the near future, but the exact time frame isn’t specified. This makes "soon" ideal for informal settings.
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Examples:
I’ll send you the documents soon.
The game will end soon.
They will arrive soon.
4. When to Use "Shortly"
On the other hand, "shortly" is more suitable for formal or professional contexts. It implies that something will happen in a very short period of time and is often used in announcements or official communications.
For instance, you might hear "The flight will depart shortly" in an airport announcement, indicating that the departure is imminent.
Examples:
The train will leave shortly.
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"shortly" used in subway station The service will be available shortly.
We will contact you shortly.
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5. Formality and Usage
- Soon is informal and works best in casual conversations, such as when talking with friends or family.
- Shortly is more formal and appropriate for business or professional settings, as well as customer service scenarios. For example, a customer support representative might say, "Someone will assist you shortly."
Real-life Situation: Using “Soon” vs “Shortly” in Daily English
Knowing when to use soon or shortly can make your English sound more natural, especially in professional and everyday settings.
In a Meeting or Business Context
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Correct: “The manager will arrive shortly.”
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Why? In formal speech, shortly signals something will happen very soon, often emphasizing immediacy.
When Talking with Friends
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Correct: “I’ll see you soon!”
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Why? Soon is more casual and flexible, perfect for informal conversations about the near future.
Announcements and Public Speaking
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Correct: “The program will begin shortly.”
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Why? Shortly fits well in announcements where you want to convey something is imminent.
Waiting Situations
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Correct: “Your order will be ready soon.”
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Why? When waiting for a service, soon sounds natural and friendly.
Common Mistakes and Practical Expressions
Here are 10 common mistakes learners and even native speakers make with “soon” and “shortly,” plus how to fix them:
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Using "shortly" in very casual contexts
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❌ Incorrect: I’ll call you shortly after work.
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✅ Correct: I’ll call you soon after work.
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Using "soon" to imply immediate action
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❌ Incorrect: The train will arrive soon (when it’s actually in 1-2 minutes).
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✅ Correct: The train will arrive shortly.
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Using "soon" and "shortly" interchangeably in formal writing
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❌ Incorrect: The meeting will start soon. (formal email)
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✅ Correct: The meeting will start shortly.
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Confusing "shortly" with "shortly after"
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❌ Incorrect: I arrived shortly the meeting.
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✅ Correct: I arrived shortly after the meeting.
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Using "shortly" with future perfect tense
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❌ Incorrect: We will have finished the project shortly.
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✅ Correct: We will have finished the project soon.
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Saying “soonly” (nonexistent word)
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❌ Incorrect: I will come soonly.
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✅ Correct: I will come soon.
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Misplacing "soon" at the end of sentences awkwardly
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❌ Incorrect: The results will be ready soonly (or “soonly” misspelled).
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✅ Correct: The results will be ready soon.
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Overusing "shortly" in storytelling or past tense
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❌ Incorrect: He left the room shortly.
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✅ Correct: He left the room soon after.
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Using "soon" as an adjective (wrong part of speech)
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❌ Incorrect: This is a soon event.
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✅ Correct: This is an upcoming event.
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Overusing "shortly" in casual texts or messages
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❌ Incorrect: I’ll be there shortly (to close friends).
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✅ Correct: I’ll be there soon.
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Practical Expressions with “Soon” and “Shortly”
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I’ll be there soon.
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The meeting will begin shortly.
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See you soon!
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Your package will arrive shortly.
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Shortly after the event, we went home.
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We will start soon.
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The show is starting shortly.
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I’ll call you soon.
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He left shortly after dinner.
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Please wait, your turn is coming soon.
Quiz: Test Your Understanding
Choose the best answer:
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The train will arrive ______.
a) soon
b) shortly -
I’ll call you ______ after work.
a) soon
b) shortly -
The meeting will start ______ (formal email).
a) soon
b) shortly -
She left ______ the event.
a) shortly after
b) soon after -
The results will be ready ______.
a) soon
b) shortly -
I’ll see you ______!
a) shortly
b) soon -
Which is incorrect?
a) He will arrive shortly.
b) He will arrive soonly. -
This is a ______ event.
a) soon
b) upcoming -
I arrived ______ the meeting.
a) shortly
b) shortly after -
Overusing “shortly” in casual texts sounds:
a) natural
b) too formal
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can “soon” and “shortly” be used interchangeably?
A: Not always. “Soon” is more general and casual; “shortly” often implies a very short wait and is more formal.
Q2: Can “shortly” be used in past tense?
A: Usually, “shortly after” is used in the past, not “shortly” alone.
Q3: Is “soonly” a word?
A: No, “soonly” is not a word. Use “soon” instead.
Q4: Can I use “soon” in formal writing?
A: It’s better to use “shortly” in formal contexts for precise timing.
Q5: Is “soon” an adjective?
A: No, “soon” is an adverb, not an adjective.
Q6: What’s the difference between “soon after” and “shortly after”?
A: They mean almost the same, but “shortly after” sounds slightly more formal.
Q7: Can I say “shortly” at the end of a sentence?
A: Yes, but it’s more common in formal announcements.
Q8: Does “shortly” always mean within minutes?
A: Generally yes, it implies a very brief wait.
Q9: Which is better in casual texts, “soon” or “shortly”?
A: “Soon” is better and more natural in casual texts.
Q10: Can “shortly” be used as a verb?
A: No, “shortly” is an adverb only.
Key Takeaway
Understanding the subtle difference between soon and shortly will help you sound more natural and clear in English. Use soon in casual or general contexts when talking about the near future. Use shortly in more formal or specific situations, especially announcements or business settings, to emphasize immediacy.
References & Sources
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Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org
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Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com
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British Council Learn English: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org
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Oxford English Dictionary: https://www.oed.com
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BBC Learning English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
Conclusion: Use Them Wisely
While soon and shortly sometimes overlap, knowing their differences really helps you speak and write more clearly. Soon feels casual and easygoing, perfect for everyday chats. On the other hand, shortly sounds more formal and usually means something will happen in a very short time.
Use soon when you’re talking with friends or in relaxed situations.
Use shortly when you want to sound professional or when the exact timing matters.
By noticing these small but important differences, you’ll be able to express yourself more precisely—and your listeners or readers will get exactly what you mean.
