Language Research

soon · adverb

/suːn/Full view

see you soon

A1 used for saying goodbye to someone you are going to meet again soon

Dictionary example:

I'll see you soon!

Learner example:

See you soon. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

soon

A2 after a short period of time

Dictionary examples:

She'll soon be here./She'll be here soon.

The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll get there.

Soon after agreeing to go, she realized she'd made a mistake.

How soon can we sign the contract?

I couldn't get out of that place soon enough.

Learner example:

Please tell me soon. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

as soon as possible

A2 If you do something as soon as possible, you do it as quickly as you can

Dictionary example:

We need the repairs done as soon as possible.

Learner example:

Please call me as soon as possible! (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

as soon as

B1 at the same time or a very short time after

Dictionary example:

As soon as I saw her, I knew there was something wrong.

Learner example:

As soon as the rain stopped, I called my friend and we all continued walking in the park, and we all enjoyed ourselves. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Georgian)

sooner or later

B2 used to say that you do not know exactly when something will happen, but you are certain that it will happen

Dictionary example:

Sooner or later she's going to realize what a mistake she's made.

Learner example:

Anyway I think that sooner or later you will have problems with your heart or stomach. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

no sooner ... than

C1 used to show that something happens immediately after something else

Dictionary example:

No sooner had we got home than the phone rang.

Learner example:

No sooner had I entered a pub than the waitress smiled warmly at me. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)

would sooner

C2 would prefer

Dictionary example:

I'd sooner spend a bit more money than take chances with safety.

Learner example:

However, with many living examples of unemploye[d] [people] getting by on benefits, some young people have been influenced to think that they would sooner live on benefits than work all week and receive moderate wages. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)