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"Sooner" is a form of "sooner", an adverb which is often translated as "antes". "Scarcely" is an adverb which is often translated as "apenas". Learn more about the difference between "scarcely" and "sooner" below.
scarcely(
skehrs
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (only just)
a. apenas
Edith had scarcely been in the shower for two minutes when the hot water stopped coming out.Edith llevaba apenas dos minutos en la ducha cuando dejó de salir agua caliente.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Scarcely any house in the area has a swimming pool.Casi ninguna casa de la zona tiene piscina.
We scarcely knew what to make of it.No sabíamos qué pensar.
2. (rarely)
a. apenas
She lives alone, and entire days go by with her scarcely talking to anyone.Vive sola y pasan días enteros en los que apenas habla con nadie.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I have scarcely ever seen her wearing no makeup.Rara vez la vi yo sin maquillaje.
We scarcely ever go to the beach these days because we're so busy.Casi nunca vamos a la playa estos días, porque es que estamos tan ocupados.
3. (not at all)
a. ni mucho menos
The painting in the hotel is scarcely what I would call art.El cuadro del hotel no es ni mucho menos lo que yo llamaría arte.
sooner(
su
-
nuhr
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (earlier)
a. antes
The directors made a decision sooner than I'd expected.Los directores tomaron una decisión antes de lo que había esperado.
b. más temprano
Sofia started walking sooner than her brother.Sofía empezó a caminar más temprano que su hermano.
a. más rápido
The Chinese food is cheaper, but the pizza will get here sooner. Which one do you want?La comida china es más barata, pero la pizza llegará más rápido. ¿Cuál quieren?
b. más pronto
If you don't go to college, you'll start earning money sooner, but you won't earn as much.Si no vas a la universidad, puedes ganar dinero más pronto, pero no ganarás tanto.
3. (preferably)
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Don't waste your time. Clara would sooner die than go out with you.No desperdicies tu tiempo. Clara preferiría morirse que salir contigo.
I'd sooner move to another country than live with him.Sería preferible mudarme a otro país que vivir con él.
