as soon as possible

Meaning

This expression is used to say that something needs to be done with urgency, at the earliest obtainable moment. It is very common in both casual conversation and professional emails. While it is polite, it still conveys that the request is important and should not be delayed.

Examples

• Please let me know your decision as soon as possible so we can book the tickets.

  Please let me know your decision as soon as possible so we can book the tickets.

• I need to finish this report and send it to the manager as soon as possible.

  I need to finish this report and send it to the manager as soon as possible.

• Could you call me back as soon as possible? It's quite urgent.

  Could you call me back as soon as possible? It's quite urgent.

• We want to resolve this issue as soon as possible to keep our customers happy.

  We want to resolve this issue as soon as possible to keep our customers happy.

• I'll get back to you with the details as soon as possible.

  I'll get back to you with the details as soon as possible.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Please reply to my email as soon possible.

  ✓ Please reply to my email as soon as possible.

  Learners often drop the second 'as'. The full comparative structure 'as + adverb + as' requires both words to be grammatically correct.

• ✗ We need to fix this problem as soon as possibility.

  ✓ We need to fix this problem as soon as possible.

  Learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'possible' with the noun 'possibility'. The fixed idiomatic phrase always uses the adjective.

• ✗ I will call you how soon as possible.

  ✓ I will call you as soon as possible.

  Direct translation from some languages leads learners to use 'how' instead of the first 'as'. Always use 'as soon as' to show urgency.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'm running late, but I will get to the office ___.

  💡 Use the phrase that means at the earliest time.

  Show answer

  as soon as possible

• Please submit your application ___ to secure your spot in the class.

  💡 The deadline is not fixed, but speed is important.

  Show answer

  as soon as possible

• We need to find a solution to this customer's problem ___.

  💡 The issue is urgent and needs quick action.

  Show answer

  as soon as possible