too soon
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb 1. At a point in time earlier than expected, planned, or is typical: Occurring before the usual, scheduled, or anticipated time.
Usage
The adverb "too soon" is used to indicate that an event or action has happened prematurely. It often carries a connotation of being undesirable or unfortunate because the timing is not optimal. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express this premature timing. * The announcement was made too soon, causing confusion. * He arrived too soon and had to wait. * It is too soon to tell what the results will be.
Examples
- "We celebrated the victory too soon; the other team scored two goals in the final minutes." (Modifying the verb 'celebrated')
- "It's too soon for the plants to be moved outside; there is still a risk of frost." (Modifying the adjective 'soon' in the structure 'too soon for something')
- "She spoke too soon, interrupting the speaker before he had finished his point." (Modifying the verb 'spoke')
Advanced Usage
- "All too soon": An emphatic phrase used to express that a pleasant period ended more quickly than one would have liked.
- Our vacation was over all too soon.
- Used in conditional or hypothetical statements to warn against premature action or judgment.
- It would be too soon to draw conclusions from a single experiment.
Variants and Related Words
- Prematurely (adv.): Happening, arriving, or done before the proper or usual time. (Often used in more formal or medical contexts).
- The baby was born prematurely.
- Early (adv.): Before the usual or expected time. (A more neutral term without the inherent negative judgment of "too soon").
- She arrived early for the meeting.
- Ahead of time (adv. phrase): In advance; earlier than scheduled. (Often positive or neutral).
- The project was finished ahead of time.
Synonyms
- Prematurely
- Beforehand
- Untimely
- Precipitately
Antonyms
- Too late
- Belatedly
- Tardily
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Jump the gun": To start doing something too soon, especially before the appropriate time.
- The company jumped the gun by announcing the product before it was ready.
- "Count one's chickens before they hatch": To be confident of a good result before it is certain, acting as if it has already happened.
- Don't spend the bonus yet—don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Adverb
- before the usual time or the time expected
- she graduated early
- the house was completed ahead of time