so the earliest vs so the early

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'So the earliest' is used when referring to the earliest possible time or date, while 'so the early' is used when referring to an early time or period in general.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 982 views

so the earliest

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to the earliest possible time or date.

This phrase is used when emphasizing the earliest point in time or date. It is often used to stress the importance of being early or prompt.

Examples:

Please arrive at the airport so the earliest to avoid missing your flight.
The meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM, so the earliest you can arrive is 8:45 AM.
I need the report by Monday morning, so the earliest you can submit it is Friday afternoon.

Show examples from the web [+]

So the earliest I could see you is 4:30.
So, the earliest retes, for example, were very simple and primitive.
It is crucial that France, Latvia and Poland, which have yet to ratify the protocol, do so at the earliest opportunity.
I would urge the European Commission to bring forward a proposal for a recommendation on mammography and to do so at the earliest opportunity.
So, the earliest mention of the word "zombie" was in a memo from Camp Humphreys in South Korea.
If not, will the Council do so at the earliest opportunity?
I'm a litigator, so that was the earliest I could meet Erica.
So we're at the earliest stages of discovery about basic genes, components and life on this planet.
I welcome the fact that Portugal is one of these countries and hope that the other seven Member States that have yet to ratify it will do so at the earliest opportunity.
Does it not consider that all the necessary measures should be taken to ensure that countries which have not yet brought their products in the agri-foodstuffs sector up to EU quality standards are enabled to do so at the earliest opportunity?
Considers that the first stage in establishing a conflict-prevention policy is to develop the European Union's intelligence-gathering and -analysis capacities so as to detect the earliest signs of any crisis;
Payments are posted to the earliest open commitment.
The earliest cell phones, the earliest personal computers were invented in the 1970s.
I therefore have urgent questions concerning your products and require conference at the earliest.
She believes she's discovered the earliest organized number system.
She believes she's discovered the earliest organized number system.
Eric's one of the earliest I've ever met.
The earliest appointment we could get is for next week.
That's the earliest I could get movers.
For example - here we see the subject in the earliest stages.

Alternatives:

as early as possible
at the earliest
earliest possible
at the soonest
at the earliest opportunity

so the early

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to an early time or period in general.

This phrase is used when talking about an early time or period without specifying the earliest possible time. It is more general than 'so the earliest.'