early on
adverb
: at or during an early point or stage
the reasons were obvious early on in the experiment
Using Early on: Usage Guide
This adverb is sometimes objected to in American writing as an obtrusive Briticism. It is a relative newcomer to the language, having arisen in British English around 1928. It seems to have filled a need, however. It came into frequent use in American English in the late 1960s and is now well established on both sides of the Atlantic in both speech and writing.
Examples of early on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Spencer showed me that so early on, and everyone can see it as well.
—
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 15 July 2025
Trotman suggests having discussions surrounding body changes and the menstrual period early on in pubertal development, like when the child first notices breast changes.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 14 July 2025
Learning to be a leader should start early on: An episode with Brian Sprout, varsity baseball coach at Woodbury’s East Ridge High School, touched on how sports can help youth become emerging leaders.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
The best strategy is to root out the issue early on by checking for bed bugs and getting them out of your home, experts with the CDC advise.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for early on
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Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 15 July 2025
Trotman suggests having discussions surrounding body changes and the menstrual period early on in pubertal development, like when the child first notices breast changes.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 14 July 2025
Learning to be a leader should start early on: An episode with Brian Sprout, varsity baseball coach at Woodbury’s East Ridge High School, touched on how sports can help youth become emerging leaders.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
The best strategy is to root out the issue early on by checking for bed bugs and getting them out of your home, experts with the CDC advise.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for early on
Cite this Entry
“Early on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/early%20on. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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