shortly, early, quick, soon
这组词共同的意思是“不久”“即刻”“快”。它们的区别在于:early常指时间比原来或通常早些; quick含有匆忙、仓促之意; soon指在某一特定时间过现在之后不久,多用于将来时或过去时,通常放在句末或主要动词之前; shortly与soon同义,但比soon更郑重,常用于新闻报道等。例如:
You have to think quick with the mind and act quick with the body.你必须脑子转得快,行动也得快。
I came early, and had to wait for others, but soon after five o'clock they appeared.我来得早,得等其他人,可是刚过5点他们就都来了。
Shortly after that, the police arrived.那事情发生不久警察就到了。
shortly, short
两者都是副词,但不同义:short的意思是“突然”“蓦然”; 而shortly则作“不久”“在短时期内”解,且多用于将来时态。例如:
The boss was driven to his wit's end short.
这个老板一下子被弄得一筹莫展。
I shall go on errands to Beijing shortly.
我不久就要出差去北京。
immediately,instantly,presently,directly,shortly,soon,at once,right away
这些副词或副词词组均有“立刻、马上”之意。
immediately指做完一件事后,立即就做另一件事,中间一般没有明显的时间间隔。
instantly指恰恰就在此刻,一秒钟也没耽误。
presently指不久、即将。
directly和immediately同义,指毫无迟疑。
shortly和soon同义,指动作发生或完成的速度之快。
soon常用词,指行动快,完成速度快。
at once口语中常用,语气强烈,指时间紧迫,一刻也不能耽误。
right away主要用于美国英语,语气稍弱于at once,强调动作迅速。