You’re sitting on the couch, stomach growling, staring at a delivery app that says your food will arrive shortly. Or maybe you're stuck in a Zoom lobby, and the host promises to start the meeting shortly. In both cases, you’re left wondering the same thing. Is that two minutes? Ten? An hour? It's one of those words that feels specific but is actually as vague as a "maybe" on a Tinder date.
Honestly, the word "shortly" is a linguistic trap.
We use it because it sounds professional. It’s polite. It’s better than saying "I’ll get to it when I get to it." But the reality of what shortly means depends entirely on who is saying it and what’s at stake. If a doctor says they’ll be with you shortly, your blood pressure might rise for fifteen minutes before the door opens. If a pilot says we’re landing shortly, you better have your seatbelt fastened within sixty seconds.
The Dictionary vs. The Real World
If you open the Merriam-Webster dictionary or look it up on Oxford Languages, the definition is boringly simple: "in a short time; soon." That doesn't help much, does it? It’s a relative adverb. It’s what linguists call a "deictic" expression, meaning its meaning shifts based on context.
Think about the scale of time.
In a geological sense, a volcano might be expected to erupt shortly, which could mean anytime in the next fifty years. In the tech world, if a server is coming back online shortly, users expect it in milliseconds. Most of us, though, live in the middle. We use it to describe an interval that feels "soon enough" to not be a major inconvenience.
The Psychology of "Soonish"
Why don't we just give a number? "I'll be there in seven minutes." That’s terrifying. It’s too precise. If you say seven minutes and show up in nine, you’re late. If you say shortly, you’ve bought yourself some psychological wiggle room.
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A study by researchers at the University of Birmingham once looked at how people interpret vague temporal expressions. They found that words like "soon" or "shortly" are heavily influenced by our desires. If we’re waiting for something pleasant, "shortly" feels longer. If we’re dreading something, "shortly" feels like it’s coming too fast. It's essentially a polite way to avoid commitment.
How Business Culture Ruined the Word
In the corporate world, the phrase has become a bit of a joke. You've probably seen those "I'll follow up shortly" emails that arrive three days later. In this context, it has shifted from a measure of time to a measure of intent.
It means: "I have acknowledged your existence and you are on my to-do list."
It rarely means: "I am doing this right this second."
According to productivity expert David Allen, author of Getting Things Done, vague language in communication is a primary source of workplace stress. When we don't define the "when," we create open loops in our brains. So, while saying you'll finish a task shortly might get a nagging boss off your back for an hour, it actually increases the collective anxiety of the team because no one can plan their next move.
Technical Contexts: When Shortly is Instant
When you move away from human conversation and into the realm of technology and data, the definition of shortly tightens up significantly.
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- Web Development: If a website says "Your download will start shortly," there is usually a script running a 3 to 5-second countdown. If it takes longer than 10 seconds, the user experience (UX) data shows that bounce rates skyrocket.
- Broadcasting: When a news anchor says, "We'll be back shortly," they are referring to a specific commercial break slot, usually 120 to 180 seconds.
- Transportation: If an automated voice at a train station says the 4:15 is arriving shortly, the train is likely already within the signal block of the station.
In these scenarios, the word is used to manage expectations during a transition. It’s a bridge between the now and the next.
The Cultural Divide
It’s also worth noting that what shortly means varies wildly across cultures. In high-precision cultures like Germany or Japan, "shortly" is a very narrow window. You better be ready. In "multi-active" cultures—think Mediterranean or Latin American regions—time is more fluid. There, the word might be a social lubricant rather than a clock-based promise. It's more about the relationship than the minutes.
Stop Saying It: Better Alternatives
If you want to be a better communicator, you should probably stop using the word in your professional life. It’s lazy. It creates confusion.
Instead of saying "I'll send that shortly," try these:
- "I’ll have that over to you by 3:00 PM."
- "Give me twenty minutes to wrap this up, and then I’ll send it."
- "I'm working on it now; expect it within the hour."
Specificity builds trust. Vague terms build resentment.
Even in casual settings, being specific helps. If you tell a friend you're arriving shortly, they might stay standing by the door. If you say "I'm ten minutes away," they can sit down, finish their drink, or check their email. You're giving them the gift of their own time back.
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The Verdict on Timing
So, what does it actually mean in terms of raw minutes? Based on general social consensus in North America and the UK, if someone says they will do something shortly, the "grace period" usually expires at the 15-minute mark.
- 0-5 minutes: Perfect. You nailed it.
- 5-15 minutes: Acceptable. This is the standard definition.
- 15-30 minutes: You're pushing it. You should have given a specific time.
- 30+ minutes: You lied.
Actionable Steps for Better Communication
To stop falling into the "shortly" trap and actually manage your time (and other people's expectations) better, follow these rules:
Audit your outgoing messages. Look at your sent folder. How many times did you use the words "shortly," "soon," or "in a bit" this week? If it's more than five, you’re likely causing some minor friction in your relationships.
The 10-Minute Rule. If a task will take more than 10 minutes, do not use a vague time descriptor. Give a specific window. If it's under 10 minutes, you can say "immediately" or "right away."
Ask for clarification. When someone tells you they’ll get back to you shortly, don't just say "okay." Ask, "Does shortly mean this afternoon, or should I look out for it in the next hour?" It sounds slightly aggressive, but it saves hours of wondering.
Use "shortly" for transitions only. Reserve the word for things that are already in motion. "The car is turning the corner and will be here shortly." "The water is almost boiling; it’ll be ready shortly." Don't use it for things you haven't started yet.
Language is a tool for connection, but "shortly" is often a tool for avoidance. By tightening up your vocabulary, you actually gain more control over your schedule because you're forced to confront how long things actually take. It’s a small shift, but it changes how people perceive your reliability.
Stop waiting for the world to define its terms for you. Define them yourself.