sooner or later

Meaning

This expression means that something is certain to happen at some point in the future, even if we do not know exactly when. It emphasizes inevitability. It can be used in both positive contexts (achieving success) and negative contexts (facing consequences).

Examples

• If you keep practicing, sooner or later you will speak English fluently.

  If you keep practicing, sooner or later you will speak English fluently.

• Sooner or later, she will have to make a decision about her career.

  Sooner or later, she will have to make a decision about her career.

• You can't hide the truth forever; sooner or later they will find out.

  You can't hide the truth forever; sooner or later they will find out.

• Every car breaks down sooner or later, so keep some savings for repairs.

  Every car breaks down sooner or later, so keep some savings for repairs.

• Sooner or later, we all have to grow up and take responsibility.

  Sooner or later, we all have to grow up and take responsibility.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Soon or late, he will realize his mistake.

  ✓ Sooner or later, he will realize his mistake.

  The comparative forms 'sooner' and 'later' must be used. Using the base adjectives 'soon' or 'late' is grammatically incorrect for this idiom.

• ✗ He will sooner or later arrive.

  ✓ Sooner or later, he will arrive.

  Putting 'sooner or later' in the middle of a verb phrase sounds unnatural. It is best placed at the very beginning or the very end of a clause.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you don't study, ___ you are going to fail a test.

  💡 Eventually, at some point in the future.

  Show answer

  sooner or later

• The truth always comes out ___.

  💡 Inevitably, even if it takes a long time.

  Show answer

  sooner or later