Cách Phân Biệt Shortly và Soon Trong IELTS – Formal Usage Để Đạt Band 8.0+

“Shortly” và “soon” là hai trạng từ chỉ thời gian thường gây nhầm lẫn cho thí sinh IELTS, đặc biệt khi sử dụng trong văn cảnh formal (trang trọng). Mặc dù cả hai đều có nghĩa là “sớm, trong thời gian tới gần”, nhưng mức độ formal và ngữ cảnh sử dụng của chúng hoàn toàn khác nhau – yếu tố quan trọng để đạt điểm cao trong Writing Task 1, Task 2 và Speaking Part 3.

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS 15-19, “shortly” xuất hiện với tần suất cao hơn trong các bài mẫu Band 8+ do tính chất formal và professional của nó, trong khi “soon” phổ biến hơn ở Speaking Part 1-2. Việc hiểu rõ sự khác biệt này giúp bạn lựa chọn từ ngữ phù hợp với từng phần thi, tránh mất điểm ở tiêu chí Lexical Resource.

Ví dụ vận dụng trong IELTS:

Speaking Part 2 (Describe a future plan):
“I plan to start my master’s degree shortly after graduating from university.”
→ Phân tích: “Shortly” được dùng với “after” để diễn tả hành động xảy ra ngay sau một mốc thời gian cụ thể, thể hiện sự chính xác và formal.

Writing Task 1 (Process diagram):
“The mixture is then heated, and shortly afterwards, it begins to solidify.”
→ Phân tích: “Shortly afterwards” là cụm từ formal thường dùng trong mô tả quy trình, thay thế cho “soon after” đơn giản hơn.

Writing Task 2 (Opinion essay):
“Governments should implement environmental policies as soon as possible to address climate change.”
→ Phân tích: “As soon as possible” là cụm từ phù hợp cho văn viết formal khi nhấn mạnh sự khẩn cấp.

Speaking Part 3 (Discussing future trends):
“I believe artificial intelligence will soon revolutionize the education sector.”
→ Phân tích: “Soon” phù hợp khi thảo luận về xu hướng tương lai trong Speaking, tự nhiên và không quá trang trọng.

Writing Task 2 (Problem-solution essay):
“Urban planners must address traffic congestion shortly, before it becomes unmanageable.”
→ Phân tích: “Shortly” tạo tính nhấn mạnh và formal cho lập luận trong academic writing.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học:
✅ Định nghĩa và sự khác biệt về mức độ formal giữa “shortly” và “soon”
✅ Cấu trúc ngữ pháp và vị trí trong câu của từng từ
✅ Cách vận dụng vào 4 kỹ năng IELTS với 25+ ví dụ Band 7-9
✅ Các cụm từ và collocations nâng cao cho Band 8+
✅ Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách tránh
✅ Bài tập thực hành với answer key chi tiết

Shortly và Soon Là Gì? Formal Level Khác Nhau Như Thế Nào?

Định Nghĩa

“Soon” là trạng từ chỉ thời gian (adverb of time) mang nghĩa “trong thời gian ngắn tới, sớm thôi”, có mức độ neutral (trung tính) về formal, phù hợp với cả văn nói và văn viết.

“Shortly” cũng là trạng từ chỉ thời gian có nghĩa tương tự “soon” nhưng mang tính formal cao hơn đáng kể, thường được ưu tiên trong academic writing, business communication và formal speech.

Chức năng chính:

• Chỉ thời gian xảy ra trong tương lai gần (near future)
• Tạo sự kết nối thời gian giữa các sự kiện trong câu
• Thể hiện mức độ formal/informal phù hợp với ngữ cảnh giao tiếp
• Làm phong phú vốn từ vựng trong IELTS (Lexical Resource)

Khi nào dùng trong IELTS:

Speaking:

• Part 1: “Soon” phù hợp với câu hỏi về kế hoạch cá nhân
• Part 2: Cả hai từ đều dùng được, tùy mức độ formal bạn muốn thể hiện
• Part 3: “Shortly” giúp tăng điểm khi thảo luận các vấn đề xã hội nghiêm túc

Writing:

• Task 1: “Shortly” ưu tiên cho process diagram và formal reports
• Task 2: “Shortly” tốt hơn trong body paragraphs, “soon” có thể dùng trong examples cá nhân

Tần Suất Xuất Hiện Trong IELTS

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS 14-19:

Speaking:

• Part 1: “Soon” xuất hiện thường xuyên (60% mẫu câu trả lời) – Ví dụ: “When will you travel?” → “I will go soon.”
• Part 2: “Soon” chiếm 45%, “shortly” chiếm 15% trong các bài mẫu Band 7+
• Part 3: “Shortly” tăng lên 35% ở các câu trả lời Band 8-9 khi thảo luận formal topics

Writing:

• Task 1: “Shortly” xuất hiện trong 40% bài mẫu Band 8+ (đặc biệt process diagrams)
• Task 2: “Shortly” chiếm 55% so với “soon” 20% trong academic essays

Listening/Reading:

• “Shortly” thường xuất hiện trong announcements, formal instructions
• “Soon” phổ biến trong conversations, informal contexts
• Cần nhận diện sự khác biệt để hiểu tone và register của người nói/viết

Band Score Impact:

Band 6: Chỉ sử dụng “soon”, không biết “shortly”, thiếu variety
Band 7: Biết cả hai từ nhưng đôi khi dùng sai ngữ cảnh formal/informal
Band 8-9: Sử dụng linh hoạt, chọn từ chính xác theo register, kết hợp với collocations nâng cao

Công Thức và Cấu Trúc Ngữ Pháp

Công Thức Cơ Bản

📌 CÔNG THỨC “SOON”:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Subject + will/shall + verb + soon          │
│ Soon + subject + will/shall + verb          │
│                                             │
│ Ví dụ: The results will be available soon. │
│        Soon, we will know the answer.       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Thành phần câu:

• Subject (Chủ ngữ): Người/vật thực hiện hành động
• Auxiliary verb: Will/shall/be going to (thì tương lai)
• Main verb: Động từ chính
• “Soon”: Có thể đứng cuối câu (phổ biến nhất) hoặc đầu câu (nhấn mạnh)

Ví dụ phân tích chi tiết:
Câu: “The government will introduce new policies soon.”

Phân tích:

• Subject: The government
• Auxiliary: will
• Main verb: introduce
• Object: new policies
• Time adverb: soon (vị trí cuối câu – neutral emphasis)

📌 CÔNG THỨC “SHORTLY”:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Subject + will + verb + shortly                  │
│ Shortly + subject + will + verb (formal)         │
│ Shortly after/before + clause/noun phrase        │
│                                                  │
│ Ví dụ: The meeting will commence shortly.       │
│        Shortly, we shall discuss this matter.    │
│        Shortly after arriving, he left.          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Thành phần câu:

• Subject: Chủ ngữ
• Auxiliary verb: Will/shall (shall formal hơn)
• Main verb: Động từ chính (thường là formal verbs: commence, conclude, announce)
• “Shortly”: Cuối câu, đầu câu, hoặc trong cụm “shortly after/before”

Ví dụ phân tích chi tiết:
Câu: “The presentation will commence shortly after lunch.”

Phân tích:

• Subject: The presentation
• Auxiliary: will
• Main verb: commence (formal verb)
• Time phrase: shortly after lunch (shortly + after + noun)
• Mức độ formal: Very high – phù hợp Business English/Academic Writing

Các Biến Thể và Vị Trí Trong Câu

Vị trí của “Soon”:

1. Cuối câu (End position – phổ biến nhất):
“She will graduate soon.”
→ Vị trí tự nhiên nhất, không nhấn mạnh đặc biệt

2. Đầu câu (Front position – nhấn mạnh thời gian):
“Soon, the situation will improve.”
→ Nhấn mạnh tính sớm của hành động, cần dấu phзапятая

3. Giữa câu (Mid position – ít phổ biến):
“We will soon discover the truth.”
→ Giữa auxiliary và main verb, mang tính formal hơn

Vị trí của “Shortly”:

1. Cuối câu (End position – formal):
“The flight will depart shortly.”
→ Announcement style, rất formal

2. Đầu câu (Front position – very formal):
“Shortly, the CEO will address the shareholders.”
→ Cực kỳ formal, thường trong official announcements

3. Trong cụm “shortly after/before” (Prepositional phrase):
“Shortly after the meeting, decisions were made.”
→ Kết nối thời gian giữa hai sự kiện, formal writing

4. Với “afterwards” (Compound adverb):
“The incident occurred, and shortly afterwards, police arrived.”
→ Academic writing style, Band 8+

Cụm Từ và Collocations Thường Gặp

Với “Soon”:

Cụm từ	Ý nghĩa	Mức độ formal	Ví dụ IELTS
as soon as possible	càng sớm càng tốt	Neutral	“Governments should act as soon as possible.” (Writing Task 2)
sooner or later	sớm muộn gì cũng	Informal-Neutral	“Sooner or later, we must address this issue.” (Speaking Part 3)
very soon	rất sớm	Neutral	“Technology will very soon replace traditional methods.” (Writing)
quite soon	khá sớm	Neutral	“I expect results quite soon.” (Speaking)
fairly soon	tương đối sớm	Neutral	“The project will finish fairly soon.” (Writing Task 1)

Với “Shortly”:

Cụm từ	Ý nghĩa	Mức độ formal	Ví dụ IELTS
shortly after	ngay sau đó	Formal	“Shortly after implementation, results improved.” (Writing Task 2)
shortly before	ngay trước đó	Formal	“Shortly before the deadline, changes were made.” (Writing Task 1)
shortly afterwards	ngay sau đó (nhấn mạnh)	Very Formal	“The policy was introduced, and shortly afterwards, pollution decreased.” (Writing Task 2)
very shortly	rất sớm (formal)	Formal	“The announcement will be made very shortly.” (Listening context)
commence shortly	bắt đầu sớm	Very Formal	“The examination will commence shortly.” (Formal instruction)

Signal Contexts – Nhận Biết Khi Nào Dùng Từ Nào

Dùng “Soon” khi:

1. Speaking Part 1-2 về personal experiences
2. Informal examples trong Writing Task 2
3. Văn viết không quá formal
4. Khi muốn âm thanh tự nhiên, conversational
5. Với các động từ thông thường: come, go, happen, finish

Dùng “Shortly” khi:

1. Writing Task 1 (tất cả các dạng)
2. Writing Task 2 body paragraphs (formal arguments)
3. Speaking Part 3 khi thảo luận serious topics
4. Với formal verbs: commence, conclude, announce, convene
5. Trong cụm “shortly after/before” để kết nối events
6. Khi muốn thể hiện sophistication trong vocabulary

Phân biệt shortly và soon trong IELTS với bảng so sánh mức độ formal và cách sử dụng trong writing speaking

Cách Vận Dụng Shortly và Soon Vào IELTS

Speaking

Part 1 – Introduction and Interview:

Topic thường gặp: Future plans, work/study goals, travel intentions, personal changes

Ví dụ câu hỏi và trả lời:

Q: “Do you have any plans for the near future?”
A: “Yes, I plan to find a new job soon. I’ve been preparing my CV and will start applying very soon.”
→ Phân tích: “Soon” phù hợp với câu hỏi personal này, tạo cảm giác tự nhiên. Lặp “soon” với modifier “very soon” thể hiện variety.

Q: “When will you take your next English exam?”
A: “I will take the IELTS test quite soon, probably in about two months.”
→ Phân tích: “Quite soon” + time specification tạo độ chính xác, phù hợp Band 7+.

Q: “Are you planning to move to a new place?”
A: “Not immediately, but I think I’ll relocate soon after I finish my degree.”
→ Phân tích: “Soon after” kết hợp hai events, thể hiện time management skills.

Part 2 – Long Turn:

Cue card example:
Describe a goal you want to achieve in the future.

Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“I’d like to talk about my goal of becoming fluent in English, which I hope to achieve fairly soon. I’ve been studying for about three years now, and I plan to take advanced courses shortly after completing my current level.

The reason I want to achieve this soon is that I’m planning to study abroad, and I’ll need strong English skills very shortly. I’ve been preparing systematically – attending classes regularly, practicing speaking with native speakers, and reading English materials daily.

I believe I can reach this goal quite soon, perhaps within the next six months, because I’m now at an intermediate level and making steady progress. Shortly before my application deadline, I’ll take the IELTS test to prove my proficiency.”

→ Phân tích:

• Sử dụng cả “soon” và “shortly” thể hiện range
• “Fairly soon”, “quite soon” thêm modifiers cho variety
• “Shortly after/before” kết nối timeline events
• Natural flow, không overuse

Part 3 – Discussion:

Q: “How do you think technology will change education in the future?”

A (Band 8-9):
“I believe technology will transform education very soon, possibly within the next decade. We’re already seeing changes, and shortly, I expect artificial intelligence will personalize learning for each student. Traditional classrooms may become obsolete sooner or later, as online platforms become more sophisticated. However, this transition should happen shortly after we address issues like digital inequality, because not all students have equal access to technology.”

→ Phân tích:

• Mix “soon”, “shortly”, “sooner or later” cho lexical variety
• “Shortly” trong formal discussion về social issues
• “Shortly after” kết nối cause-effect relationships
• Demonstrating Band 8+ vocabulary range

Q: “Should governments act quickly on environmental problems?”

A (Band 7-8):
“Absolutely. Governments must take action as soon as possible because environmental degradation is accelerating. They should implement policies shortly, before irreversible damage occurs. If we wait, we’ll face severe consequences very soon. Some experts argue we need change shortly after this decade begins, or it might be too late.”

→ Phân tích:

• “As soon as possible” trong recommendation
• “Shortly” với “before” clause tạo urgency
• “Very soon” emphasize consequences
• Formal tone phù hợp Part 3 discussions

Writing Task 1

Process Diagram – Band 8 Example:

Topic: The diagram shows the process of recycling plastic bottles.

Sample paragraph:
“The recycling process commences shortly after plastic bottles are collected from households. These bottles are transported to recycling facilities, where they are sorted by type and color. Shortly afterwards, they undergo a cleaning process to remove labels and contaminants. The cleaned plastic is then shredded into small flakes, which are melted very shortly into liquid form. This liquid plastic is subsequently molded into new products, and shortly before packaging, quality checks are conducted to ensure standards are met.”

→ Vận dụng:

• “Commence shortly” – formal opening
• “Shortly afterwards” kết nối stages
• “Very shortly” với passive voice
• “Shortly before” chỉ sequence
• Tránh “soon” hoàn toàn vì quá informal cho Task 1

Line Graph – Band 8 Example:

Topic: The graph shows population changes from 2000 to 2020, with projections to 2030.

Sample paragraph:
“After experiencing steady growth between 2000 and 2010, the population increased more rapidly shortly afterwards. Projections suggest that this trend will continue, with numbers expected to peak very shortly, around 2025. Shortly after reaching this peak, experts predict a gradual decline will commence shortly before 2030.”

→ Vận dụng:

• “Shortly afterwards” cho historical data
• “Very shortly” với future predictions
• “Shortly after/before” với time markers
• Formal academic tone maintained throughout

Map Description – Band 7-8:

Topic: The maps show changes to a town center between 2000 and 2024.

Sample paragraph:
“The town center underwent significant redevelopment shortly after 2000. A new shopping mall was constructed shortly before 2010, replacing the old market square. Shortly afterwards, a parking facility was added to accommodate increased traffic. Looking ahead, further changes will occur very shortly, with a new metro station planned to open shortly after 2025.”

→ Vận dụng:

• Timeline connections với “shortly after/before”
• Future developments với “very shortly”
• Consistent formal register

Writing Task 2

Opinion Essay – Band 8+ Example:

Topic: Some people think governments should spend money on faster public transportation. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Body Paragraph 1:
“Investment in rapid public transportation should be prioritized and implemented shortly, for several compelling reasons. Firstly, traffic congestion in major cities has reached critical levels, and solutions are needed very soon to prevent further economic losses. Studies show that commuters waste countless hours daily, reducing productivity significantly. If governments act shortly, they can mitigate these problems before they worsen. Moreover, shortly after efficient public transport systems are introduced, environmental benefits typically follow, as fewer private vehicles mean reduced emissions.”

→ Phân tích:

• “Shortly” trong recommendations (formal)
• “Very soon” emphasize urgency
• “Shortly after” kết nối cause-effect
• Band 8+ features: sophisticated linking, formal register

Body Paragraph 2:
“Critics argue that such projects take years to complete, so benefits won’t materialize soon. However, this perspective is shortsighted. While construction timelines are lengthy, planning and initial phases can begin shortly, and incremental improvements appear fairly soon after commencement. For instance, Seoul’s metro expansion showed measurable traffic reduction shortly after the first new stations opened, well before the entire project finished.”

→ Phân tích:

• “Soon” trong presenting opposing view (slightly less formal = appropriate)
• “Shortly” trong counter-argument (formal tone returns)
• “Fairly soon after” với specific example
• Natural variation between “soon” and “shortly” based on argument formality

Discussion Essay – Band 8:

Topic: Some believe technology will soon replace teachers. Others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Body Paragraph:
“Proponents of educational technology argue that AI-powered systems will shortly transform classrooms fundamentally. They contend that personalized learning algorithms can adapt to individual student needs much faster than human teachers, and that this technology will become mainstream very soon, given rapid advancement in artificial intelligence. Shortly after these systems are widely adopted, they predict, traditional teaching roles will diminish significantly. However, this view overlooks crucial aspects of education that technology cannot replicate soon, if ever.”

→ Phân tích:

• “Shortly” trong formal predictions
• “Very soon” với supporting evidence
• “Shortly after” sequence of events
• “Soon” với negative statement (cannot… soon)
• Demonstrates sophisticated control of register

Problem-Solution Essay – Band 7-8:

Topic: Many cities face serious air pollution. What are the causes and what solutions can be implemented?

Solutions Paragraph:
“To address these problems, governments must act as soon as possible on multiple fronts. Firstly, stricter emission standards should be implemented shortly, with penalties for non-compliance enforced very shortly thereafter. Electric vehicle infrastructure must be expanded fairly soon to encourage adoption. Additionally, shortly after introducing congestion charges in city centers, authorities typically observe reduced traffic and improved air quality. These measures, if enacted shortly, can produce measurable improvements within years rather than decades.”

→ Phân tích:

• “As soon as possible” trong urgent recommendations
• “Shortly” multiple times cho formal solutions
• “Fairly soon” với realistic timelines
• “Shortly after” với evidence-based outcomes
• Mix of time expressions = Band 7-8 lexical resource

Ví dụ sử dụng shortly và soon trong IELTS Writing Task 2 với các dạng essay khác nhau và mức độ formal phù hợp

Sample Paragraphs Band 7-9

Band 7 Sample (Good control, minor limitations):

Topic: Environmental protection

“Environmental problems have become serious, and governments should take action soon. If we don’t address climate change soon, the consequences will be severe. New policies should be introduced shortly to reduce carbon emissions. Shortly after these policies start, we can expect some improvements. However, real change won’t happen very soon because industries need time to adapt. Still, we must begin shortly, or we’ll face irreversible damage fairly soon.”

Phân tích:

• Sử dụng cả “soon” và “shortly” correctly
• Some repetition but acceptable
• Mix of formal và less formal appropriate
• Clear meaning throughout
• Band 7: Good range, occasional awkwardness

Band 8-9 Sample (Sophisticated control):

Topic: Technological unemployment

“The specter of widespread technological unemployment looms large, demanding that policymakers respond shortly with comprehensive strategies. While automation will undoubtedly displace workers soon, this transition need not be catastrophic if managed proactively. Governments should implement retraining programs shortly, ideally before job losses accelerate. Shortly after workers acquire new skills, they can transition into emerging sectors such as renewable energy and healthcare technology. Although complete economic transformation won’t occur very soon, incremental progress can begin immediately. Evidence suggests that countries acting shortly after automation trends emerge fare better than those delaying action. Therefore, the imperative is clear: respond shortly, respond decisively, and ensure no workers are left behind as this transition unfolds over the coming decades.”

Phân tích:

• Sophisticated vocabulary: “specter,” “looms,” “proactively,” “imperative”
• Natural variation: “shortly” (formal contexts), “soon” (general statements)
• Complex sentences with subordinate clauses
• “Shortly after” connecting cause-effect elegantly
• Repetition of “shortly” for rhetorical emphasis (parallel structure)
• Band 9 features: Precise expression, zero errors, sophisticated style

So Sánh Shortly vs Soon – Formal Register

Bảng So Sánh Chi Tiết

Tiêu chí	Soon	Shortly
Mức độ formal	Neutral – Informal	Formal – Very Formal
Ngữ cảnh	Everyday conversation, personal topics	Academic writing, business, official announcements
IELTS Speaking	Part 1, 2 (appropriate), Part 3 (acceptable)	Part 3 (preferred for serious topics)
IELTS Writing	Task 2 examples, less formal arguments	Task 1 (all types), Task 2 main arguments
Collocation	very soon, quite soon, as soon as possible	shortly after/before, shortly afterwards, commence shortly
Vị trí phổ biến	End of sentence mainly	End, or in phrases “shortly after/before”
Tone	Friendly, casual, conversational	Professional, academic, official
Modifiers	very, quite, fairly, pretty	very, (rarely others)
Band impact	Band 6-7 sufficient	Band 8-9 preferred

Khi Nào Dùng Từ Nào

Chọn “Soon” khi:

1. Speaking Part 1 về personal life:

   • “When will you visit your hometown?” → “I’ll go soon.”

2. Informal examples trong Writing:

   • “For example, students may soon find online learning more convenient.”

3. Expressing general future không cần formal:

   • “Climate change will affect us all soon.”

4. Với time expressions thông thường:

   • “Soon after graduation…” (less formal than “shortly after”)

5. Khi đã dùng quá nhiều “shortly” (tránh repetition):

   • Alternate: “…will happen soon” thay vì “shortly” lần thứ 5

Chọn “Shortly” khi:

1. Writing Task 1 descriptions:

   • “The process commences shortly after collection.”

2. Writing Task 2 formal recommendations:

   • “Governments must act shortly to prevent crisis.”

3. Speaking Part 3 serious discussions:

   • “Shortly, we’ll see major changes in employment.”

4. Với formal verbs:

   • Commence, conclude, announce, convene, implement + shortly

5. Trong cụm “shortly after/before”:

   • “Shortly after the policy was introduced…”

6. Official announcements/instructions:

   • “The flight will depart shortly.”

7. Academic tone cần thiết:

   • “Research indicates this will occur shortly.”

Quy tắc vàng:

• Khi phân vân: Chọn “shortly” cho Writing, “soon” cho Speaking Part 1-2
• Trong cùng một câu: Không dùng cả hai (trừ khi contrast formal/informal deliberately)
• Frequency: “Shortly” không quá 2-3 lần trong một paragraph Writing

Các Từ Thay Thế Khác

Thay thế cho “Soon” (cùng mức formal):

Từ/Cụm từ	Ý nghĩa	Ví dụ
in the near future	trong tương lai gần	“This will change in the near future.”
before long	không lâu nữa	“Before long, we’ll see results.”
presently	sớm thôi	“The issue will be resolved presently.”

Thay thế cho “Shortly” (formal level):

Từ/Cụm từ	Ý nghĩa	Ví dụ
imminently	sắp xảy ra (rất gần)	“The announcement will be made imminently.” (Very formal)
in due course	đúng lúc, khi đến hạn	“Results will be published in due course.” (Formal)
momentarily	ngay lập tức	“The meeting will begin momentarily.” (Formal – US English)
forthwith	ngay lập tức	“Action must be taken forthwith.” (Very formal/legal)

Nâng Cao – Cách Dùng Để Đạt Band 8+

Kết Hợp Với Các Cấu Trúc Khác

“Shortly” + Passive Voice (Band 8+ favorite):

“New regulations will be introduced shortly to address workplace safety.”
→ Band 8+ features: Formal passive + “shortly” tạo academic tone hoàn hảo cho Writing Task 2

“The findings were published shortly after the research concluded, ensuring timely dissemination.”
→ Sophistication: Complex sentence, formal vocabulary (dissemination), “shortly after” linking events

“Shortly” + Perfect Tenses:

“Shortly after the policy had been implemented, significant improvements were observed.”
→ Advanced: Past perfect + “shortly after” + passive = multiple Band 8+ features

“By 2025, technology will have transformed education shortly after AI becomes mainstream.”
→ Future perfect + “shortly after” + sophisticated prediction

“Soon” + Modal Verbs (Tentative language – Band 7+):

“Governments may soon need to reconsider their strategies.”
→ Modal “may” + “soon” = appropriate hedging for academic writing

“Climate change could soon affect agricultural productivity severely.”
→ “Could soon” softens claim while maintaining urgency

“Shortly” + Conditional Sentences (Band 8+):

“If governments act shortly, they can prevent further deterioration.”
→ Real conditional + formal “shortly”

“Were governments to respond shortly, the crisis might be averted.”
→ Inverted conditional (Band 9 grammar) + “shortly” = exceptional sophistication

Parallel Structure với “Shortly” (Rhetorical device – Band 9):

“We must act shortly, decide shortly, and implement shortly – delay is not an option.”
→ Repetition for emphasis, powerful rhetoric

Cụm Từ Nâng Cao

Academic collocations với “Shortly”:

Collocation	Ví dụ	Band Level
commence shortly	“The examination will commence shortly.”	8+
conclude shortly	“The investigation will conclude shortly.”	8+
follow shortly	“A detailed analysis will follow shortly.”	7+
shortly thereafter	“The law passed in 2020; shortly thereafter, compliance improved.”	9
shortly preceding	“Shortly preceding the crisis, warning signs appeared.”	8+
ensue shortly	“Consequences will ensue shortly if action is delayed.”	9

Advanced “Soon” expressions:

Collocation	Ví dụ	Band Level
all too soon	“All too soon, resources will be depleted.” (emphatic)	8+
none too soon	“The changes came none too soon.” (barely in time)	8+
as soon as practicable	“Measures should be implemented as soon as practicable.”	8+
soon enough	“We will discover the truth soon enough.”	7+

Câu Phức và Ghép

Tích hợp “shortly” vào complex sentences:

“Although technology has advanced rapidly, widespread adoption will occur shortly only if governments invest in infrastructure, a prerequisite that many nations have overlooked.”
→ Phân tích: Concessive clause + “shortly” + conditional + relative clause = Band 9 complexity

“The environmental crisis, which has been worsening for decades, will reach a tipping point shortly unless immediate action is taken, and even then, recovery will require sustained effort over generations.”
→ Structure breakdown: Relative clause + future + “shortly” + conditional + compound coordination

Sử dụng “shortly after/before” trong cause-effect chains:

“Shortly after the government implemented carbon taxes, industries began transitioning to renewable energy, which shortly afterwards led to measurable emission reductions, demonstrating that policy intervention can produce rapid results when properly designed.”
→ Chain reaction: “Shortly after” → “shortly afterwards” linking three connected events

Embedding “soon” naturally in complex arguments:

“While critics argue that change will not happen soon, evidence suggests otherwise; multiple studies indicate that tipping points may be reached sooner than anticipated, meaning that the window for action, already narrow, may soon close entirely.”
→ Sophisticated use: Contrast formal argument, then hedge with “soon”, building urgency

Lỗi Thường Gặp và Cách Sửa

Lỗi 1: Dùng “Shortly” Quá Nhiều (Overuse)

❌ SAI:
“The process starts shortly. Shortly, the materials are heated. Shortly after, they are cooled. The product is packaged shortly.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“The process commences shortly. The materials are then heated, and shortly afterwards, they undergo cooling. Finally, the product is packaged.”

Giải thích:
Lặp “shortly” 4 lần trong 3 câu gây nhàm chán và unnatural. Cần vary với:

• “Then” (sau đó)
• “Subsequently” (tiếp theo)
• “Following this” (sau bước này)
• Chỉ giữ “shortly” ở vị trí quan trọng nhất (opening, key transition)

Lưu ý:
Giới hạn “shortly” 2-3 lần/paragraph trong Writing Task 1. Task 2 có thể flexible hơn nhưng vẫn cần variety.

Lỗi 2: Dùng “Shortly” Với Quá Khứ Không Xác Định

❌ SAI:
“I went to Japan shortly.”
“He finished his work shortly.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“I will go to Japan shortly.” (tương lai)
“He finished his work shortly after lunch.” (shortly + after + specific time)
“He will finish his work shortly.” (tương lai)

Giải thích:
“Shortly” hiếm khi đứng alone với simple past về một hành động đã hoàn thành trong quá khứ không rõ. Nó cần:

• Future context: “will… shortly”
• “Shortly after/before” + time reference
• Formal announcement: “The train departed shortly” (chỉ trong official reports)

Quy tắc:
Với past simple, PHẢI có “shortly after/before + time reference”:
✅ “Shortly after graduating, I found a job.”
❌ “I found a job shortly.” (vague, unnatural)

Lỗi 3: Nhầm Lẫn “As Soon As” và “Shortly After”

❌ SAI:
“As shortly as I arrived, he left.”
“Shortly as possible, we should act.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“As soon as I arrived, he left.” (ngay khi)
“Shortly after I arrived, he left.” (ngay sau khi)
“As soon as possible, we should act.” (càng sớm càng tốt)
“We should act shortly.” (sớm thôi)

Giải thích:

• “As soon as” = conjunction (liên từ) + instantaneous action (ngay lập tức)
• “Shortly after” = adverb phrase + small time gap (khoảng thời gian ngắn sau đó)
• KHÔNG BAO GIỜ “as shortly as” – không tồn tại cụm này
• KHÔNG BAO GIỜ “shortly as” – sai ngữ pháp

Công thức phân biệt:

• “As soon as” + clause (subject + verb): “As soon as I finish, I’ll call you.”
• “Shortly after” + noun/gerund: “Shortly after finishing, I called him.”

Lỗi 4: Dùng “Soon” Trong Writing Task 1 Formal Contexts

❌ SAI (Task 1 Process):
“The mixture is heated soon. Soon, it becomes solid.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“The mixture is heated shortly. Shortly afterwards, it solidifies.”
HOẶC: “The mixture is then heated. Subsequently, it solidifies.”

Giải thích:
Writing Task 1 yêu cầu formal academic style. “Soon” quá casual cho process diagrams, maps, formal graphs. Thay bằng:

• “Shortly” (formal)
• “Subsequently” (very formal)
• “Afterwards” (neutral-formal)
• “Then” (neutral, acceptable)

Ngoại lệ:
Nếu Task 1 có prediction về future (ít gặp), “soon” chấp nhận được:
“According to projections, the population will increase soon.” (acceptable nhưng “shortly” vẫn better)

Lỗi 5: Thêm Prepositions Không Cần Thiết

❌ SAI:
“I will arrive to soon.”
“The meeting starts in shortly.”
“He left from shortly after.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“I will arrive soon.” (không cần “to”)
“The meeting starts shortly.” (không cần “in”)
“He left shortly after.” (không cần “from”)

Giải thích:
“Soon” và “shortly” là adverbs, không cần prepositions trước chúng khi đứng alone.

Exception – Khi có object của preposition:
✅ “Shortly after the meeting” (“after” + noun = cần thiết)
✅ “Shortly before noon” (“before” + time = cần thiết)
❌ “Shortly after” (alone as sentence ending = incomplete, cần context)

Lỗi 6: Dùng Sai Formal Register Trong Speaking

❌ KHÔNG TỰ NHIÊN (Speaking Part 1):
“Q: When will you visit your family?”
“A: I shall visit them shortly after I conclude my examinations.”

✅ TỰ NHIÊN HỞN:
“A: I’ll visit them soon, probably right after my exams finish.”

Giải thích:
Câu sai technically correct nhưng quá formal cho Speaking Part 1, gây unnatural. “Shortly” + “conclude” + “shall” = overly formal cho personal question.

Quy tắc Speaking:

• Part 1: Prefer “soon” (natural conversation)
• Part 2: Either “soon” or “shortly” acceptable
• Part 3: “Shortly” appropriate for serious topics, “soon” for general discussions

Nhưng ĐÚNG trong Writing Task 2:
“Governments shall implement policies shortly after recognizing the urgency.” ✅ (formal essay tone)

Top 5 Mistakes Vietnamese Learners Make

1. Overusing “shortly” everywhere sau khi học được từ này – Cần balance với “soon” và alternatives
2. “Shortly as possible” – Sai! Phải là “as soon as possible”
3. Dùng “shortly” với simple past alone – Cần “shortly after/before” + time reference
4. Mixing registers – “Shortly” trong Speaking Part 1 về personal topics
5. Forgetting commas – “Shortly, the situation improved” cần dấu phẩy sau “shortly” ở đầu câu

Lỗi sai thường gặp khi sử dụng shortly và soon trong IELTS của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

Bài Tập Thực Hành

Bài Tập 1: Chọn “Soon” hoặc “Shortly”

Chọn từ phù hợp cho mỗi câu:

1. The flight will depart __ (soon/shortly).
2. I hope to see you __ (soon/shortly).
3. __ after the meeting, decisions were announced. (Soon/Shortly)
4. Technology will change education __ (soon/shortly).
5. The ceremony will commence __ (soon/shortly).
6. __ after graduating, she found a job. (Soon/Shortly)
7. We should act as __ as possible. (soon/shortly)
8. The results will be available very __ (soon/shortly).
9. __, the CEO will address shareholders. (Soon/Shortly)
10. I’ll finish my homework quite __ (soon/shortly).
11. The process begins __ after collection. (soon/shortly)
12. Climate change will affect us all __ (soon/shortly).
13. __ before the deadline, changes were made. (Soon/Shortly)
14. Don’t worry, help will arrive __ (soon/shortly).
15. The investigation will conclude __ (soon/shortly).

Bài Tập 2: Tìm và Sửa Lỗi

Mỗi câu có một lỗi. Tìm và sửa:

1. The meeting will start in shortly. [❌]
2. I visited Japan shortly last year. [❌]
3. As shortly as I arrived, she left. [❌]
4. The project will finish shortly as possible. [❌]
5. He completed his work very shortly. [❌]
6. Shortly, after the lecture, we had discussion. [❌]
7. The results came too shortly to analyze. [❌]
8. I will go there to soon. [❌]
9. The train departed from shortly. [❌]
10. She shall visit us shortly after. [❌]

Bài Tập 3: Viết Lại Câu

Viết lại câu sử dụng “shortly” hoặc “soon” sao cho phù hợp formal level:

1. Informal (Speaking): “I’ll probably go next month.”
   → Formal (Writing): __

2. Too casual (Writing Task 1): “The process happens pretty soon.”
   → Formal: __

3. Basic: “After the policy started, things got better.”
   → Advanced (với “shortly”): __

4. Informal: “The boss will talk to everyone later today.”
   → Formal announcement: __

5. Simple: “When I finished university, I got a job.”
   → Formal (với “shortly after”): __

Bài Tập 4: Writing Task 2 Practice

Viết 3 câu cho topic sau, mỗi câu sử dụng “soon” hoặc “shortly” phù hợp:

Topic: “Governments should invest more in public transportation. To what extent do you agree?”

Your sentences:

1. (Recommendation với “shortly”): ___

2. (Future prediction với “soon”): ___

3. (Consequence với “shortly after”): ___

Bài Tập 5: Speaking Practice

Trả lời các câu hỏi sau, sử dụng “soon” hoặc “shortly” tự nhiên:

Part 1:
Q: “Do you have any travel plans?”
Your answer: ___

Part 2:
Describe a goal you want to achieve. (Sử dụng “soon” hoặc “shortly” 2-3 lần)
Your answer (4-5 câu): ___

Part 3:
Q: “How will technology change the workplace in the future?”
Your answer (sử dụng cả “soon” và “shortly”): ___

Bài Tập 6: Gap-Fill (Process Description – Task 1 Style)

Điền “shortly”, “shortly after”, “shortly before”, “then”, hoặc “subsequently”:

“The manufacturing process commences __ (1) raw materials arrive at the facility. These materials are inspected and __ (2) sorted by quality. __ (3) sorting, they undergo a cleaning phase. The cleaned materials are __ (4) transported to the production line, where __ (5) they are processed into components. __ (6) assembly, quality checks are conducted. Finally, __ (7) packaging, the finished products are stored in warehouses.”

Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Đáp Án Bài Tập 1:

1. shortly – Formal announcement (departure)
2. soon – Personal, informal context
3. Shortly – Formal, connects events with “after”
4. soon – General prediction, neutral tone acceptable
5. shortly – “Commence” = formal verb → formal adverb
6. Shortly – Formal timeline connection
7. soon – Fixed phrase “as soon as possible”
8. soon – “Very soon” common collocation
9. Shortly – Formal announcement, beginning of sentence
10. soon – “Quite soon” common with personal tasks
11. shortly – Process description = formal (Task 1 style)
12. soon – General statement, either acceptable but “soon” more natural here
13. Shortly – Formal, “before” requires “shortly”
14. soon – Reassurance = conversational tone
15. shortly – “Conclude” = formal verb

Phân tích chung:

• Formal announcements/processes → “shortly”
• Personal/conversational → “soon”
• With formal verbs (commence, conclude, convene) → “shortly”
• Fixed phrases → “as soon as possible”

Đáp Án Bài Tập 2:

1. ❌ “in shortly” → ✅ “shortly” (không cần preposition “in”)
2. ❌ “shortly last year” → ✅ “last year” hoặc “shortly after arriving last year” (shortly không đứng alone với specific past time)
3. ❌ “As shortly as” → ✅ “As soon as” (fixed phrase, không có “as shortly as”)
4. ❌ “shortly as possible” → ✅ “soon as possible” (as soon as possible = fixed)
5. ❌ “very shortly” (ở context này) → ✅ “very quickly” hoặc “promptly” (completed work = need adverb of manner, not time)
6. ❌ “Shortly, after” → ✅ “Shortly after” (không có comma giữa shortly và after)
7. ❌ “too shortly to analyze” → ✅ “too soon to analyze” (idiom: “too soon to…” không dùng “too shortly”)
8. ❌ “to soon” → ✅ “soon” (không cần “to”)
9. ❌ “from shortly” → ✅ “shortly” (không cần “from”)
10. ❌ “shortly after” (không có object) → ✅ “shortly after that” hoặc “shortly afterwards” (cần complete phrase)

Đáp Án Bài Tập 3:

1. Informal: “I’ll probably go next month.”
   → Formal: “I intend to travel shortly, likely within the next month.”

2. Too casual: “The process happens pretty soon.”
   → Formal: “The process commences shortly.” / “The process occurs shortly thereafter.”

3. Basic: “After the policy started, things got better.”
   → Advanced: “Shortly after the policy was implemented, significant improvements were observed.” / “Conditions improved markedly shortly after policy implementation.”

4. Informal: “The boss will talk to everyone later today.”
   → Formal: “The director will address all staff shortly.” / “An announcement will be made shortly by senior management.”

5. Basic: “When I finished university, I got a job.”
   → Formal: “Shortly after completing my degree, I secured employment.” / “I obtained a position shortly after graduation.”

Phân tích chung:

• Informal → Formal: Thay “soon” → “shortly”, use formal verbs (commence, secure, obtain)
• Add passive voice for extra formality
• Use noun forms (implementation, graduation) với “shortly after”

Đáp Án Bài Tập 4:

Sample answers (có thể vary):

1. (Recommendation với “shortly”):
   “Governments should implement comprehensive public transportation systems shortly to address worsening traffic congestion.”

2. (Future prediction với “soon”):
   “If current trends continue, private vehicle ownership will soon become economically unfeasible in major cities.”

3. (Consequence với “shortly after”):
   “Shortly after efficient transit networks are established, cities typically experience reduced pollution and improved quality of life.”

Phân tích:

• Câu 1: Formal recommendation → “shortly”
• Câu 2: General prediction → “soon” acceptable, conversational tone
• Câu 3: Evidence-based cause-effect → “shortly after” links events formally

Đáp Án Bài Tập 5:

Sample answers (natural variations acceptable):

Part 1:
Q: “Do you have any travel plans?”
Answer: “Yes, I’m planning to visit Da Lat quite soon, probably next month. I’ve been wanting to go for a while, and I’ll hopefully book tickets soon.”
→ Natural, conversational, “soon” appropriate

Part 2:
“I’d like to talk about my goal of improving my English to Band 7.5, which I hope to achieve fairly soon. I’ve been studying intensively, and I plan to take the test quite soon, perhaps in two months. Shortly after passing, I intend to apply for overseas scholarships. I’m confident I can reach this goal soon because I’m making steady progress.”
→ Mix of “soon” and “shortly”, natural progression

Part 3:
Q: “How will technology change the workplace in the future?”
Answer: “I believe automation will transform workplaces very soon, possibly within the next decade. Routine tasks will shortly be performed entirely by AI, freeing humans for creative work. However, this transition should happen shortly after we address concerns about job displacement, because sudden change could cause social problems. Overall, change is coming soon whether we’re ready or not.”
→ Sophisticated mix, “shortly” for formal predictions, “soon” for general statements

Đáp Án Bài Tập 6:

1. shortly after – “after” needs object (raw materials arrive)
2. subsequently hoặc then – varies sequence naturally
3. Shortly after – formal connection between stages
4. then hoặc subsequently – avoid repetition
5. shortly afterwards – varies from “shortly after”
6. Shortly before – logical sequence (checks before assembly)
7. shortly before – final stage before storage

Complete paragraph:
“The manufacturing process commences shortly after raw materials arrive at the facility. These materials are inspected and subsequently sorted by quality. Shortly after sorting, they undergo a cleaning phase. The cleaned materials are then transported to the production line, where shortly afterwards they are processed into components. Shortly before assembly, quality checks are conducted. Finally, shortly before packaging, the finished products are stored in warehouses.”

Phân tích:

• Task 1 process = consistently formal
• Vary time expressions (shortly after, subsequently, then, shortly before)
• Avoid repetition while maintaining formality
• Natural flow between stages

Kết Bài

Phân biệt và sử dụng chính xác “shortly” và “soon” theo đúng formal register là kỹ năng quan trọng giúp bạn tối ưu điểm Lexical Resource trong IELTS. Như đã phân tích chi tiết, “shortly” mang tính formal cao, phù hợp với Writing Task 1, Task 2 body paragraphs và Speaking Part 3 về serious topics. Ngược lại, “soon” có tone neutral-informal hơn, tự nhiên cho Speaking Part 1-2 và informal examples trong Writing.

Điểm mấu chốt không phải là từ nào “đúng” hay “sai”, mà là từ nào phù hợp với ngữ cảnh. Band 8-9 candidates thể hiện sự nhạy bén về register, biết khi nào nên dùng “the meeting will commence shortly” (formal announcement) thay vì “the meeting will start soon” (casual), hay khi nào “shortly after implementation” (academic writing) sophisticated hơn “soon after starting” (conversational).

Checklist Tự Kiểm Tra

Trước khi nộp bài Writing, hỏi bản thân:

✅ Task 1 process/formal description: Đã dùng “shortly” thay vì “soon”?
✅ Task 2 recommendations: Đã dùng “shortly” với formal verbs (implement, address)?
✅ Đã vary bằng “shortly after/before”, “shortly afterwards”?
✅ Không lặp “shortly” quá 3 lần/paragraph?
✅ Đã tránh “as shortly as” (sai), chỉ dùng “as soon as”?

Trong Speaking, tự nhắc:

✅ Part 1 personal topics: “Soon” tự nhiên hơn “shortly”
✅ Part 3 serious discussions: “Shortly” thể hiện sophistication
✅ Đã dùng “shortly after + noun/gerund” để link events?
✅ Tone không quá formal (tránh “I shall… shortly” trong Part 1)?

Đề Luyện Tập

Speaking Topics:

1. Describe a skill you want to learn in the near future

   • Yêu cầu: Sử dụng “soon” ít nhất 2 lần, “shortly after” 1 lần khi nói về timeline

2. Talk about changes in your hometown over the years

   • Yêu cầu: Dùng “shortly after” để kết nối events trong quá khứ

3. Discuss how technology will affect employment

   • Yêu cầu: Mix “soon” (general predictions) và “shortly” (formal analysis) tự nhiên

Writing Task 1 Topics:

1. Process: How plastic bottles are recycled

   • Yêu cầu: Dùng “shortly”, “shortly after”, “shortly before” ít nhất 3 lần total

2. Map: Changes to a town center from 2000 to 2024

   • Yêu cầu: “Shortly after/before” với time markers (years)

Writing Task 2 Topics:

1. “Governments should invest in renewable energy immediately. To what extent do you agree?”

   • Yêu cầu: Body paragraph với “shortly” trong recommendations, “shortly after” trong evidence

2. “Technology will soon replace many jobs. Discuss both advantages and disadvantages.”

   • Yêu cầu: Thesis với “soon”, body với “shortly” cho formal analysis

3. “Environmental problems require urgent action. What are the causes and solutions?”

   • Yêu cầu: Solutions paragraph với “as soon as possible”, “shortly”, “shortly after” kết hợp

Self-study plan:

📅 Week 1: Focus on recognition – đọc Cambridge IELTS answers, highlight “soon” vs “shortly”, analyze register
📅 Week 2: Controlled practice – làm gap-fill exercises, viết lại câu varying formal level
📅 Week 3: Production – viết paragraphs, record Speaking answers, self-correct using checklist
📅 Week 4: Integration – full essays và Speaking mock tests, focusing on natural usage

Hãy nhớ rằng mastery đến từ practice có ý thức. Mỗi lần viết hoặc nói, hãy dừng lại và tự hỏi: “Should this be ‘soon’ or ‘shortly’ based on formality?” Dần dần, việc lựa chọn đúng sẽ trở thành tự nhiên, và bạn sẽ thấy điểm Lexical Resource của mình cải thiện rõ rệt.

Chúc bạn học tốt và đạt Band điểm mục tiêu trong kỳ thi IELTS sắp tới!