Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In the near future; after a short period of time: This phrase indicates that something will happen or be the case soon, not immediately but without a long delay.

Usage

• The phrase "before long" is used to express that an event or situation is expected to occur in a relatively short time from the present moment or from a specified point in time. It is synonymous with "soon," "shortly," or "presently."

Examples

• Adverb:
  • We should have news before long. (We expect to receive news in a short while.)
  • If you keep practicing, you'll see improvement before long. (Improvement will happen soon if you continue.)
  • The train will be here before long. (The train will arrive shortly.)

Advanced Usage

• Temporal Connector: "Before long" can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence to connect events in time, often implying a natural or expected progression.
  • Before long, the children were fast asleep. (Soon after a certain point, the children fell asleep.)
  • He started a small business, and before long, it became very successful. (His business became successful a short time after it started.)

Variants and Related Words

• Soon (adv.): in or after a short time.
• Shortly (adv.): in a short time; before long.
• Presently (adv.): after a short time; soon.
• In a little while (phrase): soon; shortly.

Synonyms

• Soon
• Shortly
• Presently
• Ere long (archaic/literary)
• In due course

Related Phrases

• It won't be long (before): Used to predict that something will happen soon.
  • It won't be long before she realizes her mistake.
• Sooner or later: Eventually, at some unspecified future time.
  • Sooner or later, the truth will come out.

Notes

• "Before long" is an adverbial phrase. It is not used as a phrasal verb.
• It typically refers to the future but can be used in past narratives to describe something that happened soon after a previous event.

Adverb

1. 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