What is shortly? Pronunciation and usage in English

shortly means . Learn how to pronounce and use shortly through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of shortly

shortlyadverb

/ˈʃɔːtli/
Definition & pronunciation of shortly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "shortly." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown with tips:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "short": This part is fairly straightforward. Pronounce it like "short" - as in, the length of your arm. It's a clear, crisp "sh" followed by "ort."
  • "ly": This is the key to the difficulty. The "ly" at the end doesn't make a simple "ly" sound like in "friendly." It creates a slight pause and a rhotic "r" sound.

2. The Full Pronunciation:

The word "shortly" is pronounced: ˈʃɔːrtli (British English) or ˈʃɔːrt-li (American English)

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈʃɔːr - This is the "short" part.

    • ˈʃ - "sh" sound (as in "ship") – stressed syllable
    • ɔː – This is a sound that's hard to describe precisely. It's like the "or" in "born," but a little more rounded. Think of making your mouth as if you're going to say “oar,” but say “or.” It’s a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds).
    • t - A regular "t" sound.

  • -li – This is the tricky part.

    • -li - This is where it pauses slightly. You pronounce it with a very subtle "r" sound. It’s almost like you're brushing your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth. It should not be a full-blown "r" like in "red." It’s a very gentle, almost phantom “r.”

3. Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Listen to Native Speakers: This is crucial. The best way to get the pronunciation right is to listen to how native English speakers say it. Here are some resources:

    • Google Translate: Type "shortly" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/shortly/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers around the world.
    • YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce shortly” – you’ll find many videos.

  • Practice the “ɔː” sound: Really focus on the "or" sound as in "born." Record yourself and compare it to a native speaker.

  • The Subtle "r": Don't overdo the "r." Most speakers don’t pronounce a full “r” in "shortly." It’s a tiny little flick of the tongue.

  • Syllable Emphasis: Notice the stress marks (ˈ) before "short." This indicates that the first syllable ("short") is the stressed syllable – it’s louder and longer.

To Summarize - A quick cheat sheet:

Short-ly (with a subtle "r" sound at the end of "ly")

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "shortly"?
  • Focus on practicing a specific part of the pronunciation (like the "ɔː" sound)?

Usage and examples with the word shortly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "shortly" in English. It's a slightly more formal and precise word than "soon" or "pretty soon." Here's a breakdown of its uses, with examples:

1. Meaning: In a short time; quickly; shortly after

  • Core meaning: "Shortly" means happening or done in a relatively short amount of time. It emphasizes the speed of an event.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • Describing a future action:

    • "I will call you shortly." (I will call you in a short amount of time – possibly within the next hour or so.)
    • "The package will arrive shortly after noon." (It will arrive very soon after 12:00 PM.)
    • "We’ll be leaving shortly – just give us five minutes.” (We’ll leave in a short period.)

  • Following an event:

    • "He recovered shortly after the accident." (He recovered quickly after the accident.)
    • "The rain stopped shortly afterward." (The rain stopped quickly immediately after it started.)
    • “She finished her work shortly before the meeting.” (She completed her work just before the meeting started.)

  • Indicating a time frame (often with a specific time):

    • "The results will be published shortly." (The results will be published in a little while – it’s not specified exactly when yet.)
    • "We will discuss this shortly." (We’ll talk about it soon, but without giving a precise time.)

3. Contrast with "soon":

  • "Soon" is more general and less precise. It can mean anything from a few minutes to a few days.
    • “I’ll see you soon.” (Could mean later today, tomorrow, or next week – it’s ambiguous.)
  • "Shortly" implies a more immediate and concise timeframe.

4. Grammatical Notes:

  • Adverb: "Shortly" is an adverb. It modifies verbs (actions).
  • Placement: It usually appears directly before the verb it modifies.

Here’s a table to help illustrate the differences:

Word Meaning Timeframe Example
Soon Quickly, shortly Vague (minutes to days) "I'll be there soon."
Shortly In a short time Relatively short "I’ll call you shortly."

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples in a specific context (e.g., business communication, casual conversation)?
  • Help you practice using "shortly" in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word shortly

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