How to use "will be updated shortly"

What Does "will be updated shortly" Mean?

• It expresses the time when an update or change will occur, indicating it will happen in the near future.
• It typically modifies the verb phrase "will be updated."
• Register: neutral to slightly formal.

How to Use It

• Typical sentence position: final position is most natural. While grammatically possible to front it (e.g., "Shortly, it will be updated"), it sounds awkward and is rarely used. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb phrase.
• It modifies the verb phrase, indicating when the update will happen. It adds a sense of immediacy and anticipation to the update.
• Grammatical flexibility: It's generally not fronted. Negation isn't typically used directly with the phrase itself, but rather with the overall statement (e.g., "It will not be updated shortly"). Questions are uncommon with this specific phrase, but could be phrased as "Will it be updated shortly?"
• It sounds unnatural or incorrect to place it at the beginning of a sentence, especially if the subject is not clearly defined. Using it with a specific, contradictory timeframe (e.g., "It will be updated shortly, in three weeks") is also incorrect.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from will be updated shortly on Ludwig.guru.

"This story will be updated shortly." — Independent

"This article will be updated shortly." — Independent

"On Wednesday, Platt had told CNN that the racial definitions were "outdated, currently under review, and will be updated shortly"." — Huffington Post

"Volunteering week is happening again this year from 3-7 June We will be updating you shortly with more details about our projects." — The Guardian

"CEO Dick Costolo said via email that it was just a bug caused by a code update, and it will be fixed shortly." — TechCrunch

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/will+be+updated+shortly

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
will be updated soon	Most direct and interchangeable alternative.
will be updated presently	Slightly more formal than "soon" or "shortly."
will be updated in a little while	More conversational and less precise.
will be updated in the near future	More formal and emphasizes a slightly longer timeframe than "shortly."
will be updated momentarily	Implies an even shorter timeframe; almost immediate.
will be updated imminently	Suggests the update is about to happen without delay, slightly more formal.
will be updated quickly	Emphasizes the speed of the update rather than just the time frame.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong Scope of Modification: Ensure that the phrase modifies the verb phrase related to the update. For example, avoid saying "The user will be updated shortly," when you mean "The profile will be updated shortly."
• Learners sometimes confuse "shortly" with "in short" or use it in contexts where a more specific time frame is needed. "Shortly" refers to time, while "in short" means "briefly" or "in summary."
• Register mismatch: While generally neutral, avoid using it in extremely formal contexts where more precise language is expected.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
will be updated shortly	Indicates an update will happen soon	Neutral to slightly formal	Final

FAQs

Where should "will be updated shortly" be placed in a sentence?

Typically, "will be updated shortly" is placed at the end of the sentence. This position is the most natural and easily understood. While grammatically, it could be placed at the beginning, this is rarely done in practice and can sound awkward.

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How does "will be updated shortly" differ from "will be updated soon"?

"Will be updated shortly" and "will be updated soon" are very similar, but "shortly" implies a slightly shorter timeframe than "soon". While the distinction is subtle, "shortly" suggests the update is imminent, whereas "soon" allows for a slightly broader window of time.

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Is it correct to use "shortly" when I have a specific time frame in mind, or when I mean "in summary"?

No, it is not correct. "Shortly" refers to a brief period of time in the near future. If you mean "in summary" or "briefly," use the phrase "in short" instead. If you have a precise time frame for the update, it's better to state it directly (e.g., "It will be updated in 15 minutes").