Shortly meaning in English

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Definition

(I will arrive) shortly: (I will arrive) soon, in a little while, any minute now adverb
I'll be home shortly, probably in about 5 minutes.

Examples

  • "He should be here very shortly."
  • "I will return shortly."
  • "The official policy will be sent shortly as a PDF file, but I'd like to draw your attention to some specific details beforehand."
  • "We should be on the ground shortly."
  • "I'll be right back with your drinks and appetizers shortly."
  • "I will be in touch with you shortly with more information."
  • "Monique : Please fill out these forms, and have a seat in the waiting room. The nurse will call you in shortly."
  • "Susan will contact you shortly."
  • "I'll fax you the specifications of the bottles and containers as soon as possible, and we'll be in touch shortly."
  • "Susie : The food should arrive shortly."
  • "If you just stay here for a minute, the doctor'll be in shortly."
Exercise 1
"Bruno will be right with you, Mr. Warbuckle."

Which of the following expressions could Edward have used, keeping the same meaning?

There may be more than one correct answer!

"Bruno will be right with you, Mr. Warbuckle."

Which of the following expressions could Edward have used, keeping the same meaning?

There may be more than one correct answer!
This is incorrect. Edward does not mean that Bruno only has a minute to see Harold, but that Bruno will be ready to see Harold soon.
This is incorrect. Edward tells Harold to wait, not that Bruno is ready to see him.
This is incorrect. "To be on one's way out" is an expression that indicates the moment when someone exits a room, house, apartment or building. Note that Edward could have said "Bruno is on his way" to indicate that Bruno is "en route". To be "on one's way" is used to indicate that you have left (or will be leaving very soon) and "are coming".
This is correct. Edward's expression "Bruno will be right with you" means that "Bruno won't be long", or that Harold won't need to wait a long time to see Bruno. Both these expressions are commonly used when telling someone that they will have to wait a short amount of time.
This is correct. Edward's expression "Bruno will be right with you" means that "Bruno will be with you shortly", or that Bruno will be ready to see Harold in a short amount of time. Both these expressions are commonly used when telling someone that they won't need to wait a long time.

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