curtly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curtly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a manner of speaking or responding that is brief and potentially rude or abrupt. Example: "She responded curtly, making it clear she didn't want to continue the conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alexander, who burst into tears when the referendum result was formally confirmed at around 6.00am, had made several requests to see the prime minister's statement before it was delivered, which were curtly rejected.

The Guardian

Curtly Ambrose scored a Nissan Patrol for his efforts two years later.

The Guardian - Sport

Asked if he thought the Belarusian authorities would try to play the same trick again, Mr Sikorksi curtly answered "Yes of course they will".

The Economist

Asked about Mr Cameron's objections, he replied curtly: "I don't care".

The Economist

Trevor-Roper, later Lord Dacre, summed up "Leviathan" curtly: "The axiom, fear; the method, logic; the conclusion, despotism".Hobbes would probably have acknowledged the first part: he admitted to being a fearful type.

The Economist

When Curtis Gannon, the lawyer for the government, said "we would be surprised if the Court wanted to decide the due process issue here since it wasn't decided by the court of appeals," Justice Scalia responded curtly, "it was raised...and it's argued here".

The Economist

Kreuger replies curtly that he is "greatly disappointed" by the attitude of the banks.Kreuger's luck was running out, and his unswerving confidence was beginning to look like a con-man's desperate manoeuvring.

The Economist

It said curtly that it had no contract to sell to Gazprom.In this section Jokowi's day Virtual depravity Mi CASA no es tu CASA Power failure At sea ReprintsThe shut-off has affected hundreds of thousands in the Ferghana valley, a volatile region of Kyrgyzstan.

The Economist

The group does not take its cues from that ministry, he curtly explains, but names a different, powerful ministry.

The Economist

Truman, interrupting an opponent of the bomb, asked curtly, "Can the Russians do it?" The response was yes.

The Economist

At a cabinet meeting on November 17th, the prime minister curtly dismissed demands from his new foreign minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, to dismantle the Palestinian Authority and deport Mr Arafat, as Israel's response to the killings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "curtly" to describe a brief and somewhat rude response, especially when quoting direct speech or describing interactions. It's effective for conveying a sense of abruptness or impatience.

Common error

While "curtly" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced adverbs like "tersely" or "briefly" to maintain a professional tone if the rudeness is not the focus.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "curtly" functions primarily to modify verbs, describing the manner in which an action is performed. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it commonly modifies verbs like "answered", "replied", or "dismissed", indicating a brief and potentially rude tone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "curtly" is an adverb used to describe actions performed in a brief and often rude manner. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While effective for conveying abruptness, be mindful of its potential to sound impolite, especially in formal settings. Consider alternatives like "tersely" or "briefly" for a more neutral tone. Remember that while "curt" is a characteristic, "curtly" is how the characteristic is expressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tersely

Similar in brevity, but emphasizes conciseness more than potential rudeness.

abruptly

Focuses on the suddenness and unexpectedness of the response.

briefly

Highlights the short duration of the interaction, without necessarily implying rudeness.

sharply

Emphasizes the critical or biting tone of the response.

bluntly

Indicates a direct and frank manner, possibly lacking tact.

shortly

Similar to "curtly", but can also refer to a brief time period.

gruffly

Suggests a rough or surly tone of voice.

succinctly

Focuses on the conciseness and clarity of the communication.

unceremoniously

Implies a lack of politeness or formality in the action.

without elaboration

Highlights the absence of detail or explanation in the response.

FAQs

How to use "curtly" in a sentence?

"Curtly" is used to describe how someone speaks or acts in a brief and somewhat rude manner. For example, "She replied "curtly", ending the conversation abruptly."

What can I say instead of "curtly"?

You can use alternatives like "tersely", "abruptly", or "briefly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "curtly" or "curt"?

"Curt" is an adjective meaning rudely brief. "Curtly" is an adverb describing the manner in which someone speaks or acts. For example, a response can be described as "curt" while someone might reply ""curtly"".

What's the difference between "curtly" and "tersely"?

Both "curtly" and "tersely" describe brief communication, but "curtly" often implies a degree of rudeness or impatience, while "tersely" emphasizes conciseness and lack of extra verbiage.