all too short

USAGE SUMMARY

"all too short" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It conveys the idea that something was too short in duration or length. Example: "The vacation was all too short, and I didn't have enough time to explore all the sights and activities." In this sentence, "all too short" emphasizes the shortness of the vacation and suggests that the speaker wished it had been longer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Morris reveals his memories of the man behind the all too short musical career.

Independent

They are, to distort Hobbes, nice, unbrutish and all too short.

The Economist

Israel flexed its huge military biceps, but at its back its reach proved all too short and brittle.

The Guardian

Mr. Schweiger passed away on October 15 , 1998after an all too short battle with a malignant brain tumor.

The New York Times

After what seemed to be an all too short chat, the minister rose, suggesting a well-known café where they might meet for dinner the next evening.

Harvard Business Review

After a nomadic academic life, the couple settled on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, where he enjoyed the great outdoors in his all too short retirement.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Even the ephemeral beauty of an all too short-lived summer season can be held on to in our hearts.

Huffington Post

The news, towards the end of his all-too short life, that he had been taken ill "while editing the sports pages of the Sunday Sport" cut like a knife.

Independent

I fell in love with New Zealand's South Island three years ago during an all-too short trip to Queenstown.

Huffington Post

Her 2013 EP "London" boasted an all-too short collection of dark electropop, her vocals shift effortlessly from fragile or powerful.

Huffington Post

Still, these brilliant, subtle and all too short-lived prints resonate in the mind long after one leaves the show.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all too short" to add emphasis and a sense of longing or regret when describing something that ended quickly or was briefer than desired.

Common error

Avoid using "all too short" in purely objective descriptions where emotional coloring is inappropriate. The phrase carries a subjective sense of loss or disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all too short" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It emphasizes the insufficient duration or length of something, expressing a subjective sense of regret or longing, which Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all too short" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something was shorter than desired, often carrying a sense of longing or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in News & Media and is suitable for neutral contexts. To maintain appropriate usage, avoid using it in purely objective situations and consider alternatives like "excessively brief" or "regrettably brief" depending on the desired nuance. Remember that "all too short" emphasizes the feeling of brevity and is most effective when expressing a subjective emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively brief

Emphasizes the extreme brevity.

lamentably short

Adds a tone of regret about the shortness.

regrettably brief

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment.

unfortunately short

Highlights the unfortunate nature of the brevity.

painfully brief

Emphasizes the negative impact of the shortness.

woefully inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency in terms of length or duration.

incredibly fleeting

Implies that something passed by very quickly.

distressingly brief

Expresses how upsetting the shortness is.

too quickly gone

Indicates a rapid passing or disappearance.

alas, so brief

Adds a touch of poetic lament.

FAQs

How can I use "all too short" in a sentence?

Use "all too short" to express that something was shorter than desired. For example, "The summer vacation was "all too short", and I wish it could have lasted longer."

What phrases are similar to "all too short"?

Similar phrases include "excessively brief", "regrettably brief", or "unfortunately short". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "too short" instead of "all too short"?

"Too short" is a more neutral expression, while "all too short" adds emphasis and expresses a sense of longing or disappointment. Using "all" intensifies the feeling of brevity.

When is it inappropriate to use "all too short"?

It's best to avoid "all too short" when describing something objectively where an emotional tone is not needed. In those cases, "too short" is more appropriate.