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I am confused with the use of "early." For example, I heard people say that I will be back early January. But on the internet, I saw people use it with proposition "in" and some even put "the" in front of the month indicated. Could anyone explain the nuance among these usages? Thanks.

Lee

Li-Pin Juan
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  • This reminds me of American "I wrote my mother" and British " I wrote to my mother". I don't think it's something to worry about. I would write "in early January" as being more correct (to me) but would readily miss out the in when speaking. – Mynamite Dec 17 '14 at 18:48
  • Worth looking at the 'Is it common to omit a preposition (in / on / of) before “the month (year / week /day) when they are used adjectively and adverbially?' thread for other usages. – Edwin Ashworth Dec 17 '14 at 19:25
  • You never use "the early January". You might use "the early Spring". Apparently giving the month is too specific to need an article. – Oldcat Dec 17 '14 at 19:25

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"I will be back early January" is an ellipsis (an omission of a word or phrase) of "I will be back in early January." "I will be back in the early January" is incorrect; perhaps someone was trying to say "I will be back in the beginning of January," which would be correct.

Nicole
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  • Your link defines ellipsis as one or more words omitted from a clause. Yet 'in early January' is, in my knowledge, not a clause. Is 'early January' being used in some other way, perhaps as an adverb? – pazzo Dec 17 '14 at 18:27
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    On the other hand, Collins has a far broader definition: ellipsis: n, pl -ses
    1. (Grammar) Also called: eclipsis: omission of parts of a word or sentence
     – Edwin Ashworth Dec 17 '14 at 19:22