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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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I'll keep it short

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I'll keep it short.

News & Media

The New York Times

I'll keep it short, though how can one shorten a story that's already lasted more than forty years?

News & Media

The New Yorker

This has already been dissected at length, so I'll keep it short, but while Myers is a No. 3 starter at best in terms of talent, he threw 439 innings over the past two years for Houston and that has a lot of value, particularly in keeping the bullpen fresh.

News & Media

The New York Times

Okay, I don't even know where to start here, so I'll keep it short and sweet.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Much has been written about this, so I'll keep it short: Make sure your attitude and appearance project self-confidence, professionalism, and eager interest.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

I have the tendency to go off for a while about this, so I'll keep it short and sweet: Van Hanos, Joshua Abelow and Brian Belott.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I will keep it short," he told the crowd.

News & Media

The New York Times

Although I could have listed 20 or even 100 tips, I will keep it short at 5.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Let's back up (we'll keep it short): In the Popol Vuh, the Mayan creation narrative, twins play a ballgame.

Not Cool – Wonderful Beasts (From MySpace) We've mentioned this Downham trio before so we'll keep it short and to the point – much like their punchy alt-rock: "Oh my God.

So we'll keep it short and sweet and move on to the recipes.

Science & Research

Science Magazine
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I'll keep it short" to signal to your audience that you are aware of their time and will be concise.

Common error

Avoid using "I'll keep it short" if you know you will be discussing a topic at length. It sets a false expectation and can frustrate your audience.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'll keep it short" functions as an introductory remark, signaling the speaker's intention to be brief. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this commonly precedes opinions, stories, or explanations, setting an expectation of conciseness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I'll keep it short" is a common way to signal brevity and respect for the audience's time. Grammatically correct and generally neutral in register, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. However, as highlighted by Ludwig, it's essential to be mindful of setting false expectations; only use the phrase when a concise message is genuinely intended. Consider related phrases like "I'll be brief" or "I'll make it quick" for nuanced variations. Be aware of our guidelines and avoid overpromising brevity, and use Ludwig as your guide to explore and utilize this phrase effectively.

FAQs

What does "I'll keep it short" mean?

The phrase "I'll keep it short" is used to indicate that you intend to be brief and concise in your communication. It's a way of assuring your audience that you won't take up too much of their time.

How can I use "I'll keep it short" in a sentence?

You can use "I'll keep it short" at the beginning of a statement or speech to signal your intention to be brief. For example, "I'll keep it short, we need to focus on our goals."

What are some alternatives to "I'll keep it short"?

You can use alternatives like "I'll be brief", "I'll make it quick", or "I'll get straight to the point" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I'll keep it short" or "I will keep it short"?

Both "I'll keep it short" and "I will keep it short" are grammatically correct, but "I'll keep it short" is more conversational and commonly used in informal settings. "I will keep it short" can be used for emphasis or in more formal situations.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: