can be shortened

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be shortened" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that can be made shorter or condensed. For example: "The sentence 'I am enjoying my summer vacation' can be shortened to 'I'm having fun on my vacation.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The whole walk is 17km, but can be shortened.

The Guardian - Travel

It's a good name, though, because it can be shortened.

Independent

Episodes of pain can be shortened by providing the body with the heme it needs.

The New York Times

Note: with this belt, if you have a leather puncher, it can be shortened into a choker.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You need to think about whether the name can be shortened for a Web or e-mail address.

The New York Times

Subsequent references can be shortened to Congo (no "the") as long as there is no risk of confusion.

The New York Times

The stay in purgatory can be shortened through intercession, alms, indulgences, and benefits of the sacrifice of the mass.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the engine block can be shortened; G.M. will make four- and five-cylinder Vortecs, for future trucks, at a new plant in Tonawanda, N.Y.

The New York Times

That caveat is because timers can be shortened, currency costs can be reduced… Everything is tweakable in response to how people are playing the game.

The Guardian - Tech

Often, the songs are cut up by computer, so that an introduction can be shortened, a verse removed or a section repeated to maintain the set's fast pace.

The New York Times

Follow-up periods also can be shortened or segmented.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be shortened", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced, whether it's time, length, or complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "can be shortened" without specifying what exactly is being shortened. For example, instead of saying "The process can be shortened", specify "The development process "can be shortened" by using new technologies."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be shortened" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating the possibility of reducing the length, duration, or complexity of something. As shown by Ludwig, this expression indicates that a subject is capable of being made shorter.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be shortened" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that signifies the ability to reduce the length, duration, or complexity of something. As Ludwig AI states, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly within scientific, news-related, and business domains. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial; be specific about what you are shortening to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "can be condensed" or "can be abbreviated", offering slight nuances in meaning. From a linguistic standpoint, this phrase functions primarily to indicate potential optimization. Overall, "can be shortened" is a versatile and useful tool for expressing efficiency and adaptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be condensed

Emphasizes the process of making something more concise and compact.

is able to be abbreviated

Highlights the capability of making something briefer, often implying a formal reduction.

is capable of being reduced

Emphasizes the potential for decreasing size, extent, or amount.

can be made briefer

Focuses on the act of shortening something, implying an active process.

is susceptible to contraction

Suggests that something is liable to become smaller or more compact.

can be curtailed

Implies a restriction or reduction in extent or quantity.

is amenable to compression

Focuses on the capacity of something to be squeezed into a smaller space or time.

can be trimmed

Suggests removing unnecessary parts to make something shorter or neater.

is subject to downsizing

Indicates that something may be reduced in size, often referring to organizations or teams.

is open to simplification

Highlights the potential to make something easier to understand or do.

FAQs

How do I use "can be shortened" in a sentence?

Use "can be shortened" to indicate that the duration, length, or complexity of something is reducible. For instance, "The meeting "can be shortened" by focusing on key issues."

What are some alternatives to "can be shortened"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "can be condensed", "can be abbreviated", or "can be reduced" as alternatives to "can be shortened".

Is it correct to say "can be shorten" instead of "can be shortened"?

No, "can be shorten" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "can be shortened", which uses the past participle of the verb "shorten".

Can "can be shortened" apply to abstract concepts like timelines or processes?

Yes, "can be shortened" is often used for abstract concepts. For example, "The project timeline "can be shortened" by optimizing workflows", or "The application process "can be shortened" with online submissions."