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Early vs soon

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ROBINDESBOIS
January 12, 2013, 08:39 AM
What is the difference btw soon and early?

Perikles
January 12, 2013, 08:53 AM
What is the difference btw soon and early?soon is only an adverb, but early can be adverb or adjective (The early bird catches the worm).

As adverb, early relates to the time being discussed, soon relates to when it is being discussed.

Can you come early? (You are invited to dinner one evening, and they want you to come promptly. The invitation could be for next week)
Can you come soon? (The time between this question and your coming should be as short as possible)

The sun sets early in winter
We must go home, the sun sets soon (but it could be 21.00 in summer when saying this)

Tricky

wrholt
January 12, 2013, 10:15 AM
Perikles is right, the difference is a bit tricky. As an adverb, "early" is relative to some specified or appointed time (in contrast to "on time" and "late"), while "soon" usually refers to a relatively short duration between "now" and another event.

ROBINDESBOIS
January 12, 2013, 01:06 PM
Perfect thanks.