sooner
word
/ˈsunɝ/
SOO-nur
/sˈuːnɐ/
SOO-nuh
Definition
At an earlier time than expected, planned, or compared with something else. It is also used in patterns like 'sooner or later' and 'would sooner' to talk about preference.
Usage & Nuances
'Sooner' is often the comparative form of 'soon': 'come sooner'. Very common patterns are 'the sooner..., the better', 'sooner or later', and 'no sooner... than...'. In modern English, 'would sooner' is correct but less common than 'would rather'.
Spanish: antes - más prontoPortuguese (BR): mais cedo - antesPortuguese (PT): mais cedo - antesChinese (Simplified): 更早 - 更快Chinese (Traditional): 更早 - 更快Hindi: जल्दी - पहलेArabic: في وقت أقرب - أبكرBengali: আগে - তাড়াতাড়িRussian: раньшеJapanese: より早く - いずれ（sooner or later の場合）Vietnamese: sớm hơnKorean: 더 빨리 - 차라리 (선호 표현)Turkish: daha erkenUrdu: جلدی - پہلےIndonesian: lebih cepat
Example Sentences
If you leave now, you will get there sooner.
basic
The bus came sooner than I expected.
basic
Sooner or later, she will find the answer.
basic
I’d sooner stay home tonight than go out in this rain.
natural
The sooner we start, the easier this will be.
natural
No sooner had we sat down than the phone rang.
natural