How soon or How early

Question

Could you tell me what the differences are between "how soon" and "how early"?

Do there sentences both work?

1) Do you know how early in the evening the show will begin?

2) Do you know how soon in the evening the show will begin?

I think because of the existance of "in the evening", only 1) can make sense, but if there isn't "in the evening", I can also use "how soon"...3).

3) Do you know how soon the show will begin?

Is my understanding right??

Thank you!

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Yes

H M · Answer

Thanks a lot for your reply!

Now I have another question...

How about this sentence 1)?
1) How soon does the bus leave? It will start in a few minutes.

Can I use "how early" in the sentence 1)?

2) How early does the bus leave? It will start in a few minutes.

I somewhat feel like I can't say 2)

But I can't explain why...and I'm not very confident...

Thanks a lot in advance!

Fivejedjon · Answer

If you say 'How early does the bus leave?' there how are two possible meanings:

1. How early in the morning does the bus leave?' You are probably referring to a bus tomorrow morning, or to a question about what ungodly hour in the morning the bus normally leaves. There are contexts in which these are possible, but not for what you want to say in 'How soon does the bus leave?'

2. 'How long before the scheduled time does the bus leave?' Once again, this is not what you want to say.

H M · Answer

Thanks a lot for your explanation!

I feel like I got it :-)

Thank you!

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