Can I just use "early" instead of "early on"?

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

In this context, it would be better to use early on. This is because it references to time and means early stages of an event; the beginning of something If you would just use "early" it doesn't really give a reference of time. In this video, Bill Gates is saying that in the early stages of a virus, we need to be more prepared; we need to have people who are trained to deal with it, run simulations on what to do if another virus should happen, etc. Here are more example sentences with "early on" being used. Ex: The relationship between the two was great early on. Ex: Early on, the play was really boring.

How do native speakers use this expression?

Share this post

Popular Q&As

09/13

1
What's "fucked up" mean? Is he swearing at somebody?
No, he's not swearing at someone! Here, "fucked up" is similar to "messed up," "unhappy," or "damaged." So he's saying that he'll be "unhappy" if that person can't be with him. Ex: The company will be fucked up if they don't sign a new deal soon. Ex: She'll be fucked up if she stays here any longer.

2
What does "a sense of" mean?
Very good question. When thinking about the meaning of "sense of" there is a difference in meaning between "sense" and "sensation". It is true that sense can mean feeling, like a "sense of tiredness" or a "sense of hunger". However it can also, when in the context of an ideal or a virtue or an ability (such as "humor" or "justice" or "irony" or "direction" or "responsibility"), mean the ability to appreciate or understand something. This is how it is being used here. So she is saying that the customers in these restaurants feel or understand the idea of urgency, of not having a lot of time. Ex: My husband has a great sense of humour. Ex: I have a terrible sense of direction. I'm always getting lost.

3
I wondered what kind of animal Charlie is.
"Charlie" in the show We Bare Bears is "Bigfoot" (also called "Sasquatch"), which is a creature that exists in American and Canadian folklore. This creature is thought to be large, hairy and resemble an ape. Although there have been several supposed sightings of this creature in North America, it has not been proven that this creature actually exists.

4
What does "prize spot" mean? Is it a combination word of two nouns?
"Top prize spot" basically means first place. "Top prizes" are given to first place winners, and they are all being offered as prizes for the winners of the game. "Spot" here means ranking, so you can understand this sentence to mean "If you think you can just show up and take our first place prize spot, you're wrong!" Ex: She won top prize at the raffle. Ex: He took the top spot for the math competition.

5
Does "allow me" is a more sophisticated form of saying "let me"?
Yes, you are absolutely correct! "Allow me" is simply a more formal version of "let me." Ex: Allow me to lead the way. = formal Ex: Let me lead the way. = more casual

Complete the expression with a quiz!