2

My sentence goes like this: "Please let us know at soonest if you can help us." Is it correct? And, if yes, is "as soonest" a possible alternative?

Thanks in advance.

Mark
  • 133

1 Answers1

3

Soonest is used to say 'as quickly as is reasonable', it is the superlative form of the word of soon. (soon -> sooner -> soonest). "As soon as possible" is what you should use:

Please let us know as soon as possible (or as early as possible) if you can help us.

Usage in a response:

I don't know for sure, the soonest I can know is later this evening.

OR

The soonest possible time I can let you know is at 5 pm.

You may hear someone say to someone else "see you soonest" but it's colloquial and what they mean is "see you in a flash" or "see you as soon as I can" or "see you very soon".

J.R.
  • 58,828
  • 5
  • 95
  • 196
chornge
  • 603
  • 1
  • 5
  • 12
  • Where exactly might you hear someone say “see you soonest”? I’ve never heard anyone say it. Sounds like the kind of thing you might find in Indian English, though I have no idea if it does actually exist there. – Janus Bahs Jacquet Oct 22 '17 at 01:04
  • i agree, it's a bit unconventional, out of everyone, I'll see you the soonest is probably more conventional. one of my aunts used to use see you soonest, it's colloquial but a little old-school. – chornge Oct 23 '17 at 15:58