an abridged edition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an abridged edition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a version of a text that has been shortened or condensed while retaining the essential content. Example: "The library has an abridged edition of the classic novel, making it more accessible for younger readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is a memoir of childhood, not a novel, and it is no longer unpublished; an abridged edition appeared in 1982, and the University Press of Florida issued the full text in 1998.

The New York Times - Books

Back at the University of Connecticut, the Uconn Opera, proud of its educational partnership with the Metropolitan, is presenting an abridged edition of Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel" designed for children ages 5 to 11. Curtain times at the Jorgensen are 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Nov. 24, with entries in a "gingerbread house contest for kids" on display in the lobby.

The New York Times

Carlos (released in two versions, the five-and-a-half-hour one I saw, originally made as a TV mini-series, and an abridged edition at 158 minutes) covers rather less sedately the last three decades of the century through the career of Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, born in 1949 to a Venezuelan lawyer, a romantic, middle-class Marxist who christened his sons Vladimir, Ilich and Lenin.

The Guardian - Film

Political Justice was read and translated by Benjamin Constant in France, and an abridged edition was translated into German in 1803, along with the first three of Godwin's mature novels.

SEP

According to the Synopsis Basilicorum (an abridged edition of Basilika), parricides are to be cast into the flames".

Wikipedia

An abridged edition, covering Volume I of the original, is still in print, but it reaches only as far as theorem 56; Whitehead and Russell didn't stop until they reached theorem 375.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

U2 manager Paul McGuinness wrote an essay for the British edition of GQ (an abridged version was reprinted in Rolling Stone) suggesting that the solution lies in collecting fees from Internet service providers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nicolas Soames, the publisher, said in an interview that the new version replaces an earlier, abridged edition — just 36 CDs — that the company recorded between 1996 and 2000.

The New York Times

This is an abridged version of an interview from the current edition of the Radio Times.

Independent

This is an abridged version of an article from the launch edition of Esquire Weekly, which is available from Appstore.com/EsquireUK.com/EsquireUK

The Guardian - Music

The release contains a new stereo and 5.1 surround remix of the album by Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson, and comes in two different editions a "collector's edition" containing the album on LP and two CDs, as well as DVD and Blu-ray discs and a hardback book; and a "special edition" containing the two CDs and an abridged version of the book.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an abridged edition", ensure the context clearly indicates what the original, unabridged version is. This provides necessary context and avoids confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "an abridged edition" without first establishing the full version's existence and relevance to the reader. Without this context, the reference loses its meaning and may confuse the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an abridged edition" functions as a noun phrase, where "abridged" is an adjective modifying the noun "edition". It typically specifies a particular version of a published work. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an abridged edition" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood term, as verified by Ludwig, indicating a shortened version of a larger work. While it appears across various domains, it is most frequently found in news and media, as well as in wiki entries. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure your audience understands the context of the original work. For alternatives, consider using "a shortened version" or "a condensed edition".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shortened version

Focuses on the act of making something shorter, applicable to various forms of media.

a condensed edition

Emphasizes the reduction in size or length, often used for written material.

a concise edition

Highlights the brevity and lack of unnecessary details.

a simplified version

Stresses the reduced complexity and increased ease of understanding.

a summarized edition

Implies a brief overview of the key points.

a compact edition

Suggests a smaller size, but not necessarily a simplification of content.

a digest edition

Refers to a collection of summarized articles or pieces.

a leaner version

Implies removal of unnecessary elements for efficiency.

a cut-down edition

Suggests a more drastic reduction in size and scope.

a brief edition

Simply indicates a shorter length, without necessarily implying simplification.

FAQs

What does "an abridged edition" mean?

An "abridged edition" refers to a version of a book or other work that has been shortened, usually by removing parts of the original text. It presents the main ideas and plot but omits some details.

When is it appropriate to read "an abridged edition"?

Reading "an abridged edition" can be suitable when you want a quicker overview of a long work, or when the full version is too complex or detailed for your needs. It's often used for younger readers or those new to a subject.

What are some alternatives to saying "an abridged edition"?

You could use phrases like "a shortened version", "a condensed edition", or "a simplified version" to convey a similar meaning.

Is reading "an abridged edition" as good as reading the original?

While "an abridged edition" provides the essence of the original, it inevitably loses some of the nuances, details, and author's style. If you want a complete and thorough understanding, the original is always preferable.