What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shortly
Example
I will be there shortly. [shortly: adverb]
Example
Can you give me a summary of the report shortly? [shortly: adverb]
Example
The meeting will be shortly. [shortly: adjective]
momentarily
Example
The train will arrive momentarily. [momentarily: adverb]
Example
I need to step out momentarily to take a call. [momentarily: adverb]
Example
She was momentarily stunned by the news. [momentarily: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shortly is more commonly used than momentarily in everyday language. Shortly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while momentarily is less common and may be considered more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shortly and momentarily?
While shortly is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, momentarily is less common and may be considered more formal.
