You're sitting there, fingers hovering over the keyboard, staring at that email draft. You’ve already used "soon" twice. You just wrote "in a bit." Now you need another word for shortly because if you say "shortly" one more time, you’re going to sound like a pre-recorded subway announcement. It’s a common wall to hit.
Precision matters. Words aren't just synonyms; they carry baggage. They carry weight. Saying you’ll finish a task "shortly" feels corporate and vague, whereas saying you'll have it done "momentarily" feels like you’re standing at a literal threshold. We use these temporal markers to manage expectations, but usually, we just end up sounding repetitive.
Why We Get Stuck on "Shortly"
Language is lazy. Our brains love the path of least resistance. According to linguists like Steven Pinker, we often rely on "functional" words because they require less cognitive load. "Shortly" is a safe harbor. It’s polite. It’s professional. It’s also incredibly boring.
The problem is that "shortly" is a relative term. To a geologist, shortly might mean ten thousand years. To a hungry toddler, it means three seconds. When you look for another word for shortly, you aren't just looking for a replacement; you’re looking for a way to be more specific about when something is actually happening.
The Professional Pivot
If you're in an office setting, "shortly" is the ultimate "get out of jail free" card. It buys you time without committing to a clock. But if you want to sound like you actually have your life together, you need to swap it out for something with more teeth.
Think about the word presently. It sounds slightly old-fashioned, sure, but it carries a certain weight of intent. It implies that the action is already in motion. Or consider anon. Okay, maybe don't use "anon" unless you’re writing a screenplay about 16th-century London or trying to be ironically pretentious at a coffee shop. But the point stands: the vocabulary exists.
Finding the Right Vibe
Context is everything. You wouldn't tell your spouse you'll be home "briefly" when you mean "soon." "Briefly" refers to duration, not the start time. This is where most people trip up. They confuse how long something takes with how soon it starts.
If you need a word that implies urgency, go with immediately or straightaway. These are the heavy hitters. They don't leave room for a coffee break. On the flip side, if you're looking for something softer, before long works wonders in narrative writing or casual conversation. It creates a sense of inevitability without the pressure of a ticking stopwatch.
Words That Actually Mean "Very Soon"
Sometimes you need to emphasize that the wait is almost over. Any minute now is great for building suspense. It’s active. It’s visceral.
Then there's imminently. This is a big word. It’s the kind of word used for thunderstorms or product launches. If something is happening imminently, it’s basically already happening. Use this when the stakes are high. It signals to the reader that they should probably stop what they’re doing and pay attention.
The Nuance of Time
Let's talk about momentarily. In the United States, we use this to mean "in a moment." In the UK, it often means "for a moment." That is a massive difference if you’re waiting for a plane to take off. Imagine the pilot saying, "We will be in the air momentarily." If you're British, you're wondering why the flight is only lasting three seconds. If you're American, you're just happy to be moving.
This is why choosing another word for shortly requires a bit of cultural awareness. You don’t want to accidentally tell your boss you’ll be working on their project "for a short time" when you meant you’d start "in a short time."
Casual Alternatives for Daily Life
Honestly, in a text message, "shortly" sounds like you’re a bot.
"I’ll be there shortly."
Who says that?
Try in a sec or in a heartbeat. If you want to be really casual, tout de suite (if you want to feel fancy) or just coming up.
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- Proximity words: Close, near, at hand.
- Action-oriented words: Directly, promptly, pronto.
- Vague-but-useful words: In a while, shortly-ish (don't actually use that), sometime soon.
Why Synonyms Matter for SEO and Readability
When you’re writing for the web, search engines like Google look for semantic richness. They don't just want to see your primary keyword repeated fifty times. They want to see that you understand the "topic cluster" around that keyword. By using a variety of terms like apace, quickly, or before you know it, you’re signaling that your content is deep and authoritative.
But forget the robots for a second. Think about the human reading your work. If they see the same word over and over, they tune out. It’s called semantic satiation. The word loses its meaning and just becomes a noise on the screen. By switching to another word for shortly, you keep the reader’s brain engaged. You’re providing a fresh stimulus.
Breaking Down the Categories
Let's look at this like a menu. Depending on what you're "cooking" (an email, a novel, a text, a legal brief), you need different ingredients.
The "High Pressure" Category
When the clock is ticking and people are waiting:
Directly is a fantastic choice. It’s professional but has a "I’m on it" energy. Without delay is even stronger, though it can sound a bit like a demand.
The "Casual/Vague" Category
When you want to be polite but don't want to be pinned down:
In due course is the king of this category. It sounds very official but basically means "whenever I get around to it." In a bit is the friendly version of this. It’s the "I’m on the couch and don't want to move yet" of synonyms.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't use summarily. People think it means "shortly," but it actually means "immediately and without ceremony," often in a way that’s a bit rude. If you summarily dismiss someone, you’ve kicked them out without a second thought. It’s not about time; it’s about the lack of process.
Also, watch out for short-term. This describes a period of time, not a point in time. Saying "I'll call you short-term" makes no sense. You’ll sound like you’ve forgotten how English works.
The Power of "In a Jiffy"
Is it 1950? No. But in a jiffy still has a place. It’s disarming. It’s hard to be mad at someone who says they’ll be there in a jiffy. It’s a bit of linguistic "small talk" that eases the tension of a wait. Use it sparingly, maybe with your grandma or a particularly chill neighbor.
Actionable Insights for Your Writing
If you want to improve your writing immediately, start auditing your "time" words.
- Check for "Soon" and "Shortly" Overload: If you see them more than once every 300 words, you’ve got a problem.
- Match the Speed to the Word: Use "imminently" for things happening in seconds/minutes and "presently" for things happening in hours.
- Consider the Audience: Use "straightaway" for international audiences (it's very clear) and "in a flash" for creative storytelling.
- Delete the Filler: Sometimes you don't even need the word. Instead of "I will call you shortly," try "I'll call you at 2:00 PM." Specificity always beats a synonym.
The next time you find yourself reaching for that tired old adverb, stop. Think about the actual gap of time you’re trying to describe. Are you coming "anon," or are you just "around the corner"? The right word doesn't just fill a gap; it paints a picture of your reliability.
Choose words that reflect the actual pace of your life. If you’re rushing, let your words sound fast. If you’re taking your time, let your vocabulary breathe. Language is a tool, not a cage, so stop letting "shortly" hold your sentences hostage.
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Move on to promptly, forthwith, or even fast. Your readers—and your word count—will thank you.