shortly
/'ʃɔ:tli/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In the near future; soon: Refers to something happening after a short period of time.
- In a concise or brief manner; in few words: Refers to speaking or writing using few words.
- In a curt, abrupt, or brusque manner: Refers to speaking in a way that is rudely brief.
Usage and Examples
Meaning: In the near future; soon:
- The train will arrive shortly. (The train will arrive in a little while.)
- The results will be announced shortly. (The results will be announced very soon.)
Meaning: In a concise or brief manner:
- He explained the rules shortly and clearly. (He explained the rules in a brief and clear way.)
- To put it shortly, the project was a success. (To say it in a few words, the project was a success.)
Meaning: In a curt or abrupt manner:
- "Not now," she said shortly. (She said "Not now" in a brusque tone.)
- He answered shortly, ending the conversation. (He answered curtly, which ended the conversation.)
Advanced Usage
- "Shortly after/before": Used to indicate a point in time very soon after or before another event.
- She left shortly after you called. (She departed a very short time after you called.)
- He had visited shortly before the accident. (He had visited just a little time before the accident.)
Variants and Related Words
- Short (adj): Of little length; not long. Can also describe a manner of speaking that is brief to the point of rudeness.
- a short break (a brief pause)
- a short reply (a curt answer)
- Shortness (n): The quality or state of being short.
- Shorten (v): To make or become shorter.
Synonyms
- Soon (adv): In or after a short time. (Closest synonym for the "future" meaning.)
- Briefly (adv): For a short time; in a concise way. (Closest synonym for the "concise" meaning.)
- Curtly (adv): In a rudely brief and abrupt manner. (Closest synonym for the "abrupt" meaning.)
- Presently (adv): Soon; after a short time. (Formal synonym for "soon".)
Related Phrases
- Put it shortly: To express something concisely.
- To put it shortly, we need more funding. (To state it briefly, we require more money.)
- Shortly thereafter: Very soon after that time.
- The meeting ended and, shortly thereafter, everyone left. (The meeting concluded and very soon after that, everyone departed.)
Adverb
- at a short distance
- the hem fell shortly below her knees
- in a concise manner; in a few words
- the history is summed up concisely in this book
- she replied briefly
- briefly, we have a problem
- to put it shortly
- in a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner
- he told me curtly to get on with it
- he talked short with everyone
- he said shortly that he didn't like it
- in the near future
- the doctor will soon be here
- the book will appear shortly
- she will arrive presently
- we should have news before long
- for a short time
- he was at the airport shortly before she was expected to arrive