on very short notice vs on a very short notice

'On very short notice' is the more common expression; it indicates that something is happening with little advance warning. 'On a very short notice' is less common and may sound awkward to native speakers.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 18, 2025 • 6583 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"on very short notice"

This phrase is used to indicate that something is happening with little advance warning or preparation.

Examples:

He had to prepare the presentation on very short notice.
The event was organized on very short notice.
She packed her bags on very short notice.
They managed to find a replacement on very short notice.
The team completed the project on very short notice.

Show examples from the web [+]

I know it's on very short notice, but I've got to go to work.
On very short notice, I might add.
It's very short notice, because someone dropped out.
This system is important to people in trouble at sea, as such information is highly detailed and help can arrive at very short notice.
We sometimes had to seek advice about very profound matters in particularly difficult circumstances and at very short notice.
Dr Magazzu was repeatedly told that many colleagues from the Member States were ready to take these places at very short notice.
to be dispatched at very short notice following a request for assistance;
Get them to take you to France at very short notice, even in the middle of the night.
That's very short notice, I'm not sure I'd be able to arrange a minister and cars...
It's very short notice, because someone dropped out.
Four days - that's very short notice.
Madam President, I want to thank Mr Funk for a report which was well prepared at very short notice.
For some reason or other, at very short notice, this has been changed to the 3-6 June.
Thanks for fixing this at short notice.
Appreciate the meeting on such short notice.
The ERCC shall be capable of mobilising and dispatching the designated experts at very short notice after the experts have been nominated for the specific mission by Member States.
I do apologise again for the fact that I have to leave before the conclusion of this debate, which I am taking part in, as you can see, at very short notice.
Some of those are brand new and it would be unfair to shut them down at very short notice, particularly when one considers the alternatives as to where this waste would have to go.
We are very well aware that the request for the Council to be represented here was made at very short notice.
be dispatched at very short notice following a request for assistance through the ERCC;

Alternatives:

at very short notice
with very short notice
with very little notice
at short notice
with little notice

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

"on a very short notice"

This phrase can be used to emphasize the shortness of the notice given, but it may sound awkward to native speakers.

Show examples from the web [+]

On very short notice, I might add.
It's very short notice, because someone dropped out.
I know it's on very short notice, but I've got to go to work.
This system is important to people in trouble at sea, as such information is highly detailed and help can arrive at very short notice.
We sometimes had to seek advice about very profound matters in particularly difficult circumstances and at very short notice.
Dr Magazzu was repeatedly told that many colleagues from the Member States were ready to take these places at very short notice.
to be dispatched at very short notice following a request for assistance;
Get them to take you to France at very short notice, even in the middle of the night.
That's very short notice, I'm not sure I'd be able to arrange a minister and cars...
It's very short notice, because someone dropped out.
Four days - that's very short notice.
Madam President, I want to thank Mr Funk for a report which was well prepared at very short notice.
For some reason or other, at very short notice, this has been changed to the 3-6 June.
Thanks for fixing this at short notice.
Appreciate the meeting on such short notice.
For practical reasons, as the Mission had to be deployed at a very short notice, temporary accommodation was found in Ashkelon, Israel, with the intention to move the Mission HQ to Gaza as soon as a suitable and secure location had been found.
The ERCC shall be capable of mobilising and dispatching the designated experts at very short notice after the experts have been nominated for the specific mission by Member States.
I do apologise again for the fact that I have to leave before the conclusion of this debate, which I am taking part in, as you can see, at very short notice.
Some of those are brand new and it would be unfair to shut them down at very short notice, particularly when one considers the alternatives as to where this waste would have to go.
We are very well aware that the request for the Council to be represented here was made at very short notice.

Alternatives:

on very short notice
at very short notice
with very short notice
at short notice
with little notice

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on very short notice vs on a very short notice

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