early
/ˈɜːli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɜːrli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈər-lē/ (ame, mw)
early — adjective
- earlypositive
- earliercomparative
- earliestsuperlative
1. happening in the first part of a day, season, or other time span, or arriving so
happening in the first part of a day, season, or other time span, or arriving sooner than is normal for that context.
Devika takes the early train to Taipei every morning so she can avoid the traffic.
early train — public transport before peak time
The early chapters of the novel describe the main character's childhood in Kenya.
In the early stages of the project, the team focused on interviewing local families.
The early morning light filled the kitchen with a warm golden glow.
- late
the direct opposite in both time and order
文法句型
early + noun (morning/stages/chapters)
be + early
用法筆記
Often placed before nouns naming parts of a time cycle (morning, afternoon, year) or steps in a process (stages, chapters, days).
常見錯誤
2. of plants or their products, ripening or becoming ready for use sooner than most
of plants or their products, ripening or becoming ready for use sooner than most other varieties of the same type.
The gardener planted early potatoes that were ready to dig up by late spring.
early + [crop name] — a variety that ripens sooner
These early apples are smaller but much sweeter than the ones that appear later.
Minh bought early peaches from the market that had a wonderful sweet smell.
Yael grew early tomatoes in her greenhouse and enjoyed them fresh in salads.
- first
used for the earliest produce of a season, but less specific to plant varieties
- late
used for varieties that mature later in the season
文法句型
early + noun (potatoes/apples/peaches)
用法筆記
Almost always appears before a noun naming a fruit, vegetable, or flower variety. The opposite is 'late' (late apples, late potatoes).
3. placed straight after a stated time to indicate that the event cannot happen any
placed straight after a stated time to indicate that the event cannot happen any sooner and may take place afterwards.
The repairs on the bridge will finish by next summer at the very earliest.
at the very earliest — emphasising that this is the soonest possible time
Haruto said the package would arrive on Wednesday at the earliest.
Valentina told me the report would be completed by Monday at the earliest.
Reuben can move into the apartment by December at the earliest.
文法句型
[time/date] at the earliest
用法筆記
Always uses the superlative form 'earliest'. Commonly appears with 'very' for emphasis ('at the very earliest'). The phrase sits after the time expression it modifies.
常見錯誤
4. expected or likely to happen soon, usually before the typical or expected time f
expected or likely to happen soon, usually before the typical or expected time for something similar.
Doctors were optimistic about the patient's early release from the hospital.
early release — leaving hospital sooner than expected
The company announced an early launch date for their new electric vehicle.
Rania hoped for an early end to the long negotiations with the union.
Yumi spotted the early signs of spring when the first buds appeared on the trees.
- delayed
happening later than expected
文法句型
early + noun (release/recovery/warning/signs)
用法筆記
Typically appears before abstract nouns such as release, recovery, warning, signs, and end. Does not usually appear after a linking verb.
early — adverb
1. at a point close to the start of a measured span such as a day, week, month, or
at a point close to the start of a measured span such as a day, week, month, or year.
Eleni gets up early in the morning to walk her dog before breakfast.
early in the morning — at the start of the day
The museum opens early on Saturdays for school groups and visitors.
Early in the year the fields are covered with wildflowers and tall grass.
Owen likes to start his homework early in the evening so he can relax later.
- at the start
more literal; less common in everyday speech
- at the beginning
used for processes rather than clock time
- late
the opposite in any time context
文法句型
early + in + [time period]
verb + early
用法筆記
Often paired with 'in' to specify the time period (early in the morning, early in the week). As an adverb, it follows the main verb (arrive early, start early).
常見錯誤
2. fairly soon after the start of a process, event, series, or other unfolding sequ
fairly soon after the start of a process, event, series, or other unfolding sequence.
Early in the game the home team scored two goals in quick succession.
early in the game — soon after the start of an event
Heather decided early in her studies that she wanted to become a nurse.
The problem was spotted early in the testing phase and fixed right away.
Early in the concert the pianist played a piece by Chopin that moved everyone in the hall.
- immediately
stronger emphasis on quick action rather than position in a sequence
- later on
at a more advanced point in the process
文法句型
early + in + [process/sequence]
early in the + [noun]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense applies to processes and events (game, career, film, project), not to clock or calendar time.
3. sooner than the usual, expected, or planned time.
sooner than the usual, expected, or planned time.
The bus arrived five minutes early, so Jabari had to hurry to the stop.
arrived early — happening before the expected time
The cherry blossoms bloomed early this year because of the warm winter.
Tamás finished his exam early and checked his answers twice before leaving.
The baby was born two weeks early and stayed in the hospital for five days.
- ahead of schedule
more formal; often used in work or project contexts
- beforehand
emphasises preparation before an event
- late
after the expected time
文法句型
verb + early (arrive/finish/bloom/leave)
用法筆記
Commonly used with verbs like arrive, finish, leave, start, come, bloom, and ripen. The opposite is 'late'.
常見錯誤
4. in the near future; before long, especially when referring to an expected or pla
in the near future; before long, especially when referring to an expected or planned event.
The new shopping centre is expected to open as early as next spring.
as early as — emphasising the soonness of a future event
We will announce the winner early next week after the judges finish voting.
Christopher hopes to hear back from the university early in the new year.
The doctor said I should receive the test results early next week at the latest.
- soon
the closest synonym; 'soon' is more general and does not need a reference timeframe
- before long
slightly more literary; emphasises short duration until the event
- later
after a longer period of time
文法句型
as early as [time]
early + [time period]
用法筆記
Often appears in the patterns 'as early as [time]' and 'early [time period]' (early next week, early next year). The emphasis is on the nearness of a future point, not on being ahead of schedule.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I will finish the work early.' could mean either 'before the deadline' (sense 3) or 'soon' (sense 4) — context determines the meaning. To avoid confusion, use 'soon' for the 'in the near future' meaning.
5. at a time before a particular reference point or event; used in the comparative
at a time before a particular reference point or event; used in the comparative form 'earlier' to show that something happens sooner than something else.
We arrived at the station ten minutes earlier than the scheduled departure time.
earlier than — comparing timing against a reference point
The earlier report suggested a different cause for the power failure.
Élise left the meeting earlier than everyone else because she had a train to catch.
Eitan had visited the museum earlier in the month and noticed the statue was gone.
- sooner
more common in informal speech; can imply 'more willingly' as well as 'earlier in time'
- later
at a time after a reference point
文法句型
earlier + than + [reference point]
用法筆記
This is the comparative form of the adverb early, used with 'than' to compare two points or events. When used without 'than' before a noun (the earlier report, an earlier version), it functions adjectivally.