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I usually hear 早速ですが used as a phrase in the office. After looking on examples
in the
[net](http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E6%97%A9%E9%80%9F%E3%81%A7%E3%81%99%E3%81%8C),
it somehow mean "Well then" in English. Is the phrase just the same as "じゃ" or
"では"?

For example:

> 早速ですが始めましょう。
>
> じゃ、始めましょう。
>
> では、始めましょ。

When do you use さっそくですが? Are there certain instance when you use this phrase?
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2012-03-22T00:29:40.087
5067
2012-03-25T16:09:28.593
2012-03-25T16:09:28.593
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question
usage expressions
When to use 早速ですが
Unlike `では` (or its contracted form `じゃ`), `早速ですが` implies that the thing to
be done is (i) something that has been looked forward to, and (ii) people have
been waiting for it. You can only use it when you have that implicature.

If a teacher says to the students:

> 早速ですが、試験を始めましょう。

then, it would imply (either in reality or ironically) that the students are
willing to and have been waiting for the examination to start, perhaps meaning
that the students are well prepared for the examination or want to be freed
from it. Or, it can mean that the teacher was eager for the examination to
start.
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2012-03-22T00:42:22.773
5068
2012-03-22T00:48:21.297
2012-03-22T00:48:21.297
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answer
早速ですが has a nuance of making an excuse for jumping to the main point directly,
where some might expect a bit of smalltalk or an introduction beforehand.

Whereas では or じゃ are pretty neutral like "Well", 早速ですが would probably be
translated like "Let's get right down to business", "Let me get straight to
the point" or "Sorry for being a bit rushed". Or sometimes a translation
wouldn't be necessary in English.

I do not share sawa's viewpoint that you necessarily use it for things that
you have been looking forward to.

> 早速ですが、会費お支払いの催促です。  
>  (Sorry for jumping straight to the point.) This is a reminder about payment
> of the membership fee.
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2012-03-22T09:40:04.717
5075
2012-03-23T00:34:58.793
2012-03-23T00:34:58.793
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answer
I agree with dainichi.

I generally use 「早速ですが」when I am getting to the point without typical small
talk, 「早速ですが、まず今度の面談についてお聞かせください。」 or when asking for something or someone's
help with something, etc. 「早速ですが、一つお願いしたいことがあります。」
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2012-03-22T13:12:45.057
5078
2012-03-22T13:12:45.057
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answer