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earlier vs early

Both 'earlier' and 'early' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Earlier' is used to compare two points in time, indicating that one event occurred before another. 'Early' is used to describe the time of day or a period in time that is at the beginning. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1086 views

earlier

The word 'earlier' is correct and commonly used in English to compare two points in time, indicating that one event occurred before another.

Use 'earlier' when you want to compare two points in time and show that one happened before the other. For example, 'She arrived earlier than expected.'

Examples:

He woke up earlier than usual.
The meeting was scheduled for earlier in the day.
I saw her earlier at the store.
The train arrived earlier than the timetable indicated.
She finished her homework earlier than her classmates.

Show examples from the web [+]

But my story really starts two weeks earlier.
Sorry I missed your call earlier.
To which my earlier testimony referred.
I felt compelled to revisit my earlier position.
The earlier models had a design flaw.
His earlier paintings depict city life.
A colleague of mine said that earlier.
You're counting earlier with the chair.
Constance dropped by earlier with another delicious delicacy.
This is Charlie Rhodes from earlier.
She said her back was hurting earlier.
Jake showed me that number earlier.
I meant everything I said earlier.
My earlier scans confirmed no other access points.
That hijacker robbed a bank two days earlier.
Miss Baxter, Sergeant Willis rang earlier.
Just a little earlier than I expected.
Starting to regret the tuna sandwich earlier.
I saw him outside school earlier.
I felt skull movement along the fracture line earlier.

Alternatives:

before
previously
sooner
prior
preceding

early

The word 'early' is correct and commonly used in English to describe the time of day or a period in time that is at the beginning.

Use 'early' to describe the time of day or a period in time that is at the beginning. For example, 'He wakes up early every morning.'

Examples:

She arrived early for the meeting.
He left early to avoid traffic.
The early bird catches the worm.
They finished the project early.
I prefer to start work early in the morning.

Show examples from the web [+]

Phone's been ringing early today.
And too early for Inspector Lewis.
Jason graduated from high school early.
I dismissed class ten minutes early.
Except for the one we discovered early.
The recommendation was finally executed by the Danish authorities early 2013.
They sent me back too early.
Little early for a drunk-driving checkpoint.
Tomorrow, we should leave fairly early.
You came home early last night.
Jennifer Tolanïs body was discovered early this morning.
Your chance for an early night.
These days, big companies retire people early.
See, Beano opened fire too early.
Hemostatic resuscitation is about replacing coagulation factors and platelets early.
And why I got here early.
Owen never gets coffee this early.
The omens promised victory if we attacked early.
Hasan has gone home early today.
A bit early to start drinking.

Alternatives:

at the beginning
in the morning
at dawn
at the crack of dawn
at the outset

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