far shorter

USAGE SUMMARY

'far shorter' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something being much shorter than expected. For example, "I expected the book to be much longer, but it was far shorter than I anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whaley's tee shots are far shorter.

The New York Times - Sports

They're far shorter than the model is.

The New York Times

Freud's work with the real Dora was far shorter.

The New York Times

Most cities have contracts with far shorter terms.

The New York Times

And several recent corrections have been far shorter.

The New York Times

In Juvenile Court, the sentence would be far shorter.

The New York Times

They're far shorter, far more frequent and less carefully considered.

The New York Times - Magazine

The shelf life of most novels is far shorter, as are the careers of most writers.

The Guardian - Books

But the barriers were later shown to fail in a far shorter time.

The New York Times - Science

The Iraqi insurgents know that they need to last a far shorter time to achieve victory.

The New York Times

It's three hours long, but feels far shorter, with the final 60 seconds being particularly good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far shorter" to emphasize a notable difference in length, duration, or extent compared to something else. It adds impact and clarity to your comparison.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "far shorter" in casual conversation can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "much shorter" or "way shorter" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far shorter" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "shorter". It specifies the degree to which something is less long than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far shorter" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to emphasize a significant difference in length or duration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English across various contexts, though its frequency is highest in news and scientific publications. While generally neutral, a conscious overuse of the phrase could result in a more formal tone than intended. Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when selecting the most appropriate phrase. Alternatives such as "much briefer" or "considerably reduced" can provide similar emphasis with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much briefer

Emphasizes brevity to a greater degree.

considerably reduced

Focuses on the reduction in length or duration.

significantly diminished

Highlights the extent of the reduction.

noticeably abridged

Implies a deliberate shortening of something.

considerably more concise

Highlights that the phrase means shorter but also more direct.

markedly decreased in length

Focuses specifically on the reduction in physical length.

substantially curtailed

Implies a sharp restriction or reduction in duration.

a good deal shorter

Expresses a significant difference using a more conversational tone.

appreciably diminished

Highlights how something is now smaller, thinner etc in a way that is easy to notice.

drastically shortened

Focuses on how the process of shortening something was severe or extreme.

FAQs

How can I use "far shorter" in a sentence?

You can use "far shorter" to compare the length or duration of two things, emphasizing the significant difference. For example, "The meeting was "far shorter" than I expected."

What are some alternatives to saying "far shorter"?

Alternatives include "much briefer", "considerably reduced", or "significantly diminished", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "far shorter"?

Use "far shorter" when you want to emphasize a considerable difference in length or duration. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing, as indicated by Ludwig.

Is "far shorter" more formal than "much shorter"?

While both are grammatically correct, "far shorter" can sound slightly more formal than "much shorter". Choose the phrase that best fits the overall tone and register of your writing.