Sooner or later means that something will definitely happen, but nobody knows exactly when. People use it mostly about things that cannot be avoided, sometimes as a warning. It sounds natural in IELTS Speaking, while in an academic essay eventually or at some point fits a little better.
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Sooner or later, + clause (will / have to); clause + sooner or later
- If you keep skipping breakfast, sooner or later you'll feel tired at work.
- Sooner or later, every student has to learn how to plan their time.
- We'll have to replace this old fridge sooner or later, so why not do it now?
What changed
First versionEarly or late, you will have to tell your boss about the mistake.
RevisionSooner or later, you will have to tell your boss about the mistake.
Early or late does not work as a fixed pair in English. The phrase uses comparative forms: sooner or later. The word order is fixed too, so later or sooner is not used.
Sooner or later is about something still ahead and unavoidable. Eventually means “in the end” and often describes the past: We eventually found the hotel. At last means “finally”, with relief: At last, the rain has stopped.
Your turn
You can't keep ignoring your landlord's messages. ___, he'll turn up at your door.
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Sooner or later — The landlord hasn't come yet, but if you keep ignoring him, his visit is unavoidable, so Sooner or later. At last expresses relief about something you have long waited for, and this visit is the last thing you want.
Write about something you have been putting off for a long time. Say what you will have to do sooner or later and why.
I keep putting off my dentist appointment, but sooner or later I'll have to go because my tooth still hurts.
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