Soon-to-be vs. Soon to be – Which is Correct?
Both “soon-to-be” and “soon to be” are correct, but they serve different grammatical roles. Use the hyphenated form before a noun as a compound adjective: “soon-to-be parents.” Use the open phrase after a subject or verb: “They are soon to be parents.” Hyphenation improves clarity and prevents misreading in writing.
Soon-to-be or Soon to be – Which is Correct?
Both soon-to-be and soon to be are correct. The difference is their position and grammatical function.
Use soon-to-be with hyphens when the phrase appears directly before a noun and acts as a compound adjective. For example, in “the soon-to-be graduate,” the phrase describes the noun graduate.
Use soon to be without hyphens when the words form part of a regular verb phrase. For example, in “She is soon to be a graduate,” the phrase follows the subject and verb rather than directly modifying a noun.
This distinction also helps writers avoid confusing Supposed to be with the incorrect form “suppose to be.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the before-a-noun test: if “soon to be” comes immediately before a noun, hyphenate it as soon-to-be. If it follows a subject and verb, leave it open as soon to be.
Compare these sentences:
- Before a noun: “Our soon-to-be neighbor introduced herself.”
- After a subject and verb: “Our neighbor is soon to be moving.”
The hyphens connect the words when they work together as one modifier. They are usually unnecessary when the phrase functions as part of the sentence’s verb structure.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| soon-to-be | Compound adjective | Expected to become something shortly | The soon-to-be author signed a publishing contract. |
| soon to be | Open verb phrase | Expected to become or do something shortly | The author is soon to be published. |
How to Use Soon-to-be
Soon-to-be is a compound modifier used before a noun. It describes a person, role, status, relationship, or condition that someone or something is expected to have in the near future. The phrase is common in both casual and formal writing.
The hyphens are especially important when the phrase appears before a noun because they show that all three words work together as one descriptive unit. Common expressions include soon-to-be bride, soon-to-be graduate, soon-to-be parents, and soon-to-be former employee.
Example 1: The soon-to-be bride chose a simple ceremony.
Example 2: They celebrated with their soon-to-be college graduate.
Example 3: The company announced its soon-to-be chief executive.
Etymology of the phrase soon-to-be
The phrase combines the adverb soon, meaning in the near future, with the infinitive phrase to be. English began using similar multiword expressions as pre-nominal modifiers over time. The hyphens are a punctuation convention that signals the words function together before a noun; they do not change the pronunciation or basic meaning.
How to Use Soon to be
Soon to be is an open phrase used when the words are not directly joined into a compound modifier before a noun. It commonly follows a subject and a form of be, especially in formal, literary, journalistic, or somewhat traditional writing.
The phrase can express an expected future state or event. It may appear in structures such as “is soon to be,” “are soon to be,” or “was soon to be.” In everyday conversation, speakers may more often choose “will soon be,” but soon to be remains grammatically correct.
Example 1: She is soon to be the youngest member of the committee.
Example 2: The old theater was soon to be transformed into a library.
Example 3: They are soon to be neighbors.
Etymology of the phrase soon to be
Soon comes from Old English sōna, meaning immediately or before long. The word be descends from the Old English verb bēon and is related to other ancient forms of the English verb “to be.” The open spelling reflects the phrase’s ordinary grammatical structure rather than a single compound adjective.
Related Concepts
Understanding compound modifiers and verb phrases makes it easier to decide whether soon-to-be or soon to be is appropriate.
- Compound modifiers: Two or more words can combine to describe a noun. Hyphens often clarify that the words should be read as one unit, as in “a soon-to-be graduate.”
- Infinitive phrases: An infinitive phrase commonly consists of to plus a verb, such as to be. In “They are soon to be parents,” to be remains an open verb phrase.
- Attributive adjectives: An adjective placed before a noun is attributive. The compound adjective in “a soon-to-be manager” has this function.
- Predicative complements: A phrase that follows a linking verb and describes the subject is predicative. In “She is soon to be a manager,” the phrase follows the verb and does not need hyphens.
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers in news reporting, publishing, entertainment, and everyday storytelling use both forms according to their grammatical position.
- News style: “The soon-to-be mayor outlined her priorities.” Here, soon-to-be directly modifies mayor.
- Entertainment reporting: “The actor is soon to be seen in a new historical drama.” Here, soon to be follows the subject and verb.
- Literary description: “The soon-to-be captain stood silently at the harbor.” The hyphenated phrase identifies an emerging role.
- Biographical writing: “The young scientist was soon to be recognized internationally.” The open phrase forms part of the verb construction.
- Personal announcements: “The soon-to-be parents shared a photograph from the nursery.” The compound adjective appears directly before the noun.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct form, soon-to-be or soon to be, to complete each sentence.
- The soon-to-be / soon to be graduates gathered for a group photograph.
- He is soon-to-be / soon to be promoted to regional director.
- Our soon-to-be / soon to be landlord sent us the lease.
- The historic building was soon-to-be / soon to be converted into apartments.
- Her soon-to-be / soon to be husband works as an engineer.
Answer Key
- soon-to-be — It directly modifies the noun graduates.
- soon to be — It follows the subject and verb is.
- soon-to-be — It directly modifies the noun landlord.
- soon to be — It follows the verb phrase was and forms part of the predicate.
- soon-to-be — It directly modifies the noun husband.
Soon-to-be Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Future | Expected to hold a particular role or status later |
| Forthcoming | Expected or about to happen |
| Prospective | Likely or intended to become something |
| Expected | Anticipated to occur or become true |
Soon to be Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Will soon be | Will enter a particular state in the near future |
| Is about to become | Is very close to entering a new condition or role |
| Is expected to be | Is anticipated to have a particular status |
| Is on the verge of becoming | Is close to a significant change in status |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “soon-to-be” hyphenated?
Yes. Use soon-to-be when it comes directly before a noun as a compound adjective, as in “a soon-to-be author.”
Question 2: Is “soon to be” grammatically correct?
Yes. Use soon to be as an open phrase when it forms part of the verb structure, as in “She is soon to be an author.”
Question 3: Should I write “soon-to-be parents” or “soon to be parents”?
Write “soon-to-be parents” when the phrase directly modifies parents. You can write “They are soon to be parents” when the phrase follows the subject and verb.
Question 4: Is “soon-to-be” formal or informal?
It is acceptable in both casual and formal writing. It appears frequently in announcements, news articles, professional bios, and personal descriptions.
Conclusion
Both soon-to-be and soon to be are correct. Hyphenate the phrase when it comes before a noun as a compound adjective, such as “a soon-to-be graduate.” Leave it open when it follows a subject and verb, such as “They are soon to be graduates.” Pro Tip: Applying this distinction consistently makes professional writing look polished and precise.
