What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
earlier
Example
I woke up earlier than usual this morning. [earlier: adverb]
Example
The earlier flight was canceled, so we had to take a later one. [earlier: adjective]
Example
I wish I had known about the meeting earlier. [earlier: adverb]
sooner
Example
I'll see you sooner than you think. [sooner: adverb]
Example
The sooner we leave, the better chance we have of avoiding traffic. [sooner: adjective]
Example
I hope to finish this project sooner rather than later. [sooner: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Earlier is more commonly used than sooner in everyday language. Earlier is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while sooner is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between earlier and sooner?
Both earlier and sooner are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
