a very short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a small length, duration, or extent. Example: "She gave a very short speech at the event, lasting only a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Keynes: A Very Short Introduction".

The Economist

Nothing: A Very Short Introduction.

The Economist

A very short period.

The New York Times

It was a very short time.

Independent

It was a very short list".

Independent

He had a very short attention span.

The New York Times

Also, a very short, romantically blighted poem.

The New Yorker

"Which just presupposes a very short distance".

The New Yorker

We would have a very short conversation.

The New Yorker

"The Olympics is a very short tournament.

The New York Times - Sports

"Markets have a very short impatience threshold".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance your writing by pairing "a very short" with specific descriptors to provide context. For example, "a very short time" can be replaced with "a brief moment" or "a fleeting second" depending on the desired nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "a very short" as a standalone modifier without specifying what is short. Provide context by including the noun being described to prevent ambiguity; for instance, instead of saying "It was a very short", specify "It was a very short meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very short" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "short". It describes nouns, indicating something that has minimal length, duration, or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very short" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to emphasize the brevity of something, as Ludwig AI confirms. It is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's acceptable in both formal and informal settings, providing a specific noun after the phrase will improve clarity and provide context. Consider alternatives like "a brief" or "a concise" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief

Emphasizes conciseness and lack of detail, suitable when summarizing or highlighting key points.

a concise

Highlights succinctness and efficiency in conveying information.

an abbreviated

Indicates shortening something by omitting parts, commonly used for texts or names.

a limited

Implies a restriction in scope or duration; suitable when discussing resources or time.

a miniature

Implies something is a smaller version of something else; used mainly for physical objects.

a momentary

Relates to something lasting only for a moment, highlighting the brief duration.

a fleeting

Suggests something passing quickly and almost unnoticed.

a truncated

Refers to something cut short or abbreviated, often in a formal context.

a thumbnail

Evokes the imagery of something of very reduced dimensions.

a trimmed

Implies reducing the length by cutting something off; useful for physical objects or texts.

FAQs

How can I use "a very short" in a sentence?

You can use "a very short" to describe the duration, length, or extent of something. For example, "The movie had "a very short running time"", or "She wrote "a very short note" to him".

What are some alternatives to "a very short"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a brief", "a concise", or "an abbreviated".

Is it better to say "a very short" or "a brief"?

Both "a very short" and "a brief" are grammatically correct. "A brief" is often preferred for its conciseness, while "a very short" may be used for emphasis.

What is the difference between "a short" and "a very short"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the degree of shortness. "A short" indicates a general lack of length, while "a very short" emphasizes an extreme lack of length or duration.