shortly

/ˈʃɔːtli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃɔːrtli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshȯrt-lē/ (ame, mw)

shortly — adverb

1. after only a short time; within a few moments from now

1.副詞B1
釋義

after only a short time; within a few moments from now

例句

The hospital will contact you shortly with the test results.

will + shortly for predicted future event

Kenji will start his new job at the design firm shortly.

同義詞
  • soon

    more common in everyday speech; less formal than 'shortly'

  • presently

    more formal and slightly old-fashioned; common in British English

  • before long

    phrase used in narrative or conversational tone, often in past-tense stories

反義詞
  • much later

    indicates a long time afterward rather than soon

文法句型

will + shortly

be + shortly

shortly + after + [event]

用法筆記

Used especially in formal or written announcements. In everyday conversation, 'soon' is more common and sounds less formal.

常見錯誤

❌I will return in short' (when meaning soon).
✅I will return shortly.
💡'in short' means 'to summarize', not 'soon'.
❌She told me the news short after I arrived.
✅She told me the news shortly after I arrived.
💡'shortly' is the adverb needed before 'after'; 'short' is an adjective.

2. happening very close to another time or event, either just after it or just befo

2.副詞B1
釋義

happening very close to another time or event, either just after it or just before it

例句

Samir called his mother shortly after the package arrived.

shortly after + [event]

Shortly before the concert began, the lights in the hall went out.

shortly before + [event] at sentence start

同義詞
  • just

    'just after/before' is more informal and common in spoken English

  • a little while

    softer, more conversational phrase ('a little while after')

  • not long

    used with 'after'/'before' in a similar way ('not long after')

反義詞

文法句型

shortly after + [event/time]

shortly before + [event/time]

Shortly before [event], [main clause]

用法筆記

Often combined with 'after' or 'before' to show the time relationship between two events. In this sense, 'shortly' cannot stand alone — it needs the reference point that follows 'after' or 'before'.

常見錯誤

❌I saw her shortly, and then she left.' (unclear reference)
✅I saw her shortly before she left.
💡the reference point ('before she left') is needed to make the meaning clear.

3. in a way that shows you are annoyed, impatient, or do not want to be friendly

3.副詞B2
釋義

in a way that shows you are annoyed, impatient, or do not want to be friendly

例句

I have nothing to say, the witness replied shortly and left the room.

reply shortly for abrupt speech

The receptionist answered the call very shortly, surprising the customer.

同義詞
  • curtly

    more direct synonym; specifically describes brief, rude speech

  • abruptly

    emphasizes the suddenness of the response rather than the rudeness

  • brusquely

    similar meaning; suggests a blunt, offhand manner

反義詞
  • politely

    the opposite manner of speaking

  • warmly

    suggests friendliness rather than impatience

文法句型

reply/say/answer + shortly

speak + shortly

用法筆記

Typically used with verbs of speaking to indicate an unfriendly or impatient tone. The listener usually feels the speaker is being rude or dismissive.

常見錯誤

❌She wrote the email shortly.' (ambiguous — could mean 'soon' or 'curtly').
✅She replied to the email shortly, giving one-word answers.
💡the context of speaking/responding clarifies the curt sense.