soon

soon — adverb

1. after a short period of time passes; at a time that is not far from now — for ex

1.adverbA1
Definition

after a short period of time passes; at a time that is not far from now — for example, saying that a bus will arrive in a few minutes, or that a holiday will come in a few weeks.

Example

Karim will finish his homework soon and join us for dinner.

will + [verb] + soon for near-future event

The doctor told Tamar that the baby would arrive very soon.

very + soon for emphasis

Common collocations
  • come soon
  • arrive soon
  • return soon
  • very soon
  • quite soon
  • soon after
  • soon enough
Synonyms
  • shortly

    more formal; common in written English and news reports

  • presently

    formal, chiefly British; means 'in a short time from now'

  • before long

    phrase, slightly more literary; emphasises that the wait is not long

Antonyms
  • later

    at a time in the future that is farther away

  • eventually

    after a long period or after many delays

Grammar Patterns

[subject] + will + [verb] + soon

soon + after + [noun phrase]

[verb] + soon enough

Usage Note

Often paired with 'very' or 'quite' for emphasis ('very soon', 'quite soon'). In past-tense narratives, 'soon' marks a short interval after the previous event: 'She arrived and soon found a seat.'

Common Mistakes

I arrived soon to the meeting.
I arrived early to the meeting.
'soon' is about time after now or after another event; 'early' is about being before the expected time.

2. connects two events that happen one right after the other — the first event fini

2.adverbA2
Definition

connects two events that happen one right after the other — the first event finishes and the second begins with hardly any gap between them. The phrase 'as soon as' marks this close relationship.

Example

As soon as the bell rang, the students ran out of the classroom.

as soon as + past tense for completed events

Call me as soon as you hear any news about the job.

as soon as + present tense for future reference

Common collocations
  • as soon as
Synonyms
  • immediately after

    slightly more formal; stresses the absence of any delay

  • the moment that

    emphatic; suggests an even tighter connection between the two events

  • once

    shorter and more conversational; 'Once I get there, I'll call you.'

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

as soon as + [subject] + [past/present verb]

as soon as + [subject] + [present perfect]

Usage Note

The clause after 'as soon as' uses a present tense (not 'will') when talking about the future: 'I will call you as soon as I arrive' (NOT 'as soon as I will arrive').

Common Mistakes

I will tell her as soon as I will see her.
I will tell her as soon as I see her.
after 'as soon as', use present tense for future meaning.

3. at the earliest moment that the situation allows, showing that a task is urgent

3.adverbA2
Definition

at the earliest moment that the situation allows, showing that a task is urgent and should happen with no waiting — often shortened to the letters 'ASAP' in notes and messages.

Example

Please send the report back to me as soon as possible.

as soon as possible in polite requests

The nurse said the patient needs to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Common collocations
  • as soon as possible
  • as soon as you can
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

as soon as possible

as soon as you can

Usage Note

Often abbreviated 'ASAP' in informal notes and messages. In formal writing, the full form 'as soon as possible' is preferred. The variant 'as soon as you can' is more conversational.

Common Mistakes

I will finish it as soon as possibly.
I will finish it as soon as possible.
the correct form is 'possible', not 'possibly'.

4. expresses a choice between two actions or situations, where you are more willing

4.adverbB1
Definition

expresses a choice between two actions or situations, where you are more willing to do one than the other — this meaning only appears in the fixed phrases 'would (just) as soon' and 'would sooner'.

Example

I would just as soon stay home and watch a movie tonight.

would just as soon + [base verb] for mild preference

Christopher said he would sooner take the train than drive in this weather.

would sooner + [verb] + than + [verb] for contrast

Common collocations
  • would just as soon
  • would sooner
  • would sooner...than
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

would (just) as soon + [base verb]

would sooner + [base verb] + than + [base verb]

Usage Note

Only appears in the fixed structures 'would (just) as soon' and 'would sooner.' 'Would rather' is far more common in everyday speech. 'Would sooner' is slightly more formal and often pairs with 'than' for contrast.

Common Mistakes

I soon stay home.
I would just as soon stay home.
'soon' alone cannot express preference; the full structure 'would just as soon' is required.
Idioms

anytime soon

idiom

Used in negative sentences and questions to mean in the near future.

The repair work won't be finished anytime soon.

Will the new store open anytime soon?

I, etc. would just as soon do something

idiom

Used to say you would be equally happy to do one thing as another.

I would just as soon stay home as go to the party.

Would you just as soon eat pizza tonight?

least said soonest mended

idiom

A bad situation improves fastest if people stop talking about it.

After the argument, they agreed that least said soonest mended.

Remember, least said soonest mended in such disputes.

no sooner said than done

idiom

Used to say something was or will be done immediately.

When I asked for help, it was no sooner said than done.

He promised to fix it, and no sooner said than done.

no sooner… than…

idiom

Used to say that one thing happens immediately after another.

No sooner had she sat down than the phone rang.

No sooner did he leave than it started raining.

the sooner the better

idiom

Used to say that something should happen as soon as possible.

When should we start? The sooner the better.

She said, 'Let's finish this project; the sooner the better.'

sooner or later

idiom

At some time in the future, even if not exactly known when.

Sooner or later, you will have to face the truth.

The truth will come out sooner or later.

sooner rather than later

idiom

After a short time rather than after a long time.

We need to address this problem sooner rather than later.

She decided to apply for the job sooner rather than later.

Word family

  • sooner
    adverbB1
  • soonest
    adverbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Soon' refers to a short time after the present moment or after another event ('Dinner will be ready soon'). 'Early' means before the expected or usual time, not just soon ('She arrived early for the meeting'). 'Quickly' describes the speed of an action — how fast something is done, not when it happens ('He finished the job quickly'). 'Promptly' is more formal and combines both speed and punctuality; it suggests doing something without delay at the right moment ('The invoice was paid promptly'). Use 'soon' when the focus is on the timing relative to now, 'quickly' when the focus is on the speed of the action itself, and 'promptly' in formal contexts that require both timeliness and efficiency.

soon ↗early ↗quickly ↗promptly

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very soon
  • quite soon
  • pretty soon
  • too soon
  • soon enough

Phrases

  • as soon as
  • as soon as possible
  • no sooner ... than
  • sooner or later
  • soon enough
  • soon after

Prepositions

  • soon after
  • soon before

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Soon' comes from Old English 'sōna,' which meant 'immediately' or 'at once.' In early English, the word carried a stronger sense of instant action than it does today. Over time, the meaning softened from 'right now' to 'in a short time.' The comparative 'sooner' and superlative 'soonest' followed the same pattern.