ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prematurely

adv. time
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌpɹiməˈtʃʊɹɫi// UK //pɹɪmətʃˈɔːli// pre·ma·ture·ly

adv. happening too early or before the right time. You use this when something finishes or starts before it was supposed to.

adv. occurring or done before the usual or expected time; too early. Often describes actions that are hasty or biological processes that conclude before full development.


SIMPLE

The game ended prematurely because of the heavy rain.

CONTEXTUAL

The project was cancelled prematurely after the investors decided to pull their funding before the first phase was complete.

COMPLEX

While the data showed promising trends, the lead researcher warned against celebrating prematurely, as several key variables had not yet been fully accounted for in the final analysis.

Synonyms
Origin

From premature + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed after the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.

Pitfall

He prematurely died.He died prematurely.When describing the timing of a life event or the end of a process, the adverb usually follows the verb rather than preceding it.

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