has been shortened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been shortened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been made shorter than it normally is or than it traditionally was. For example, "The drama club's play has been shortened to fit the time limit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even the coverage of wars has been shortened.

The New Yorker

has been shortened to only 6 months (with 60 days of maneuvers for 10 subsequent years).

The New Yorker

To save money, officials say, it has been shortened to nine days.

The Economist

Because of budget problems, the court day has been shortened and now ends at 4 30.

The New York Times

The original title, "Whoopi Goldberg," has been shortened to just "Whoopi," but that's about the extent of the major changes.

The New York Times

The floor of the hall has been shortened, the aisles broadened so they are now as wide as roads.

The Guardian

But it has been shortened to boho, which just refers to a peasant dress or a girl in beads.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The policy meeting, which normally is held over two days, has been shortened to one day because of the quake.

The New York Times

(Fans of the novel will notice that the title has been shortened to just one Starcatcher for the stage).

The New York Times - Arts

The grille, however has been shortened in height, which might take a little getting used to, and headlights are slimmer.

The New York Times

Although the dining room now has additional seating, the menu has been shortened and simplified, with a few old favorites deleted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been shortened", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and why. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been shortened" without specifying what exactly has been shortened. For example, instead of saying "The process has been shortened", specify "The application process has been shortened from two weeks to one".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been shortened" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has undergone a reduction in length, duration, or scope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been shortened" is a grammatically correct and versatile passive verb phrase, widely used across various contexts to indicate a reduction in length, duration, or scope. Ludwig AI affirms its validity, and its prevalence in news, science, and encyclopedic sources underscores its reliability. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify what is being shortened to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "has been reduced in length" and "has been curtailed", which may suit different contexts depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been reduced in length

Focuses specifically on the length aspect of the reduction, emphasizing physical or temporal shortening.

has been curtailed

Suggests a more abrupt or controlled reduction, often implying limits were set.

has been abbreviated

Specifically indicates that something has been made shorter by using a shorter form.

has been cut back

Implies a deliberate reduction in resources or scope.

has been trimmed

Suggests a minor or cosmetic reduction, often to improve appearance or efficiency.

has been condensed

Focuses on making something more compact or concise.

has been lessened

Highlights a decrease in intensity or degree.

has been diminished

Implies a reduction in importance or impact.

has been decreased

A general term for making something smaller or fewer.

has been compressed

Implies squeezing something into a smaller space or time frame.

FAQs

How can I use "has been shortened" in a sentence?

Use "has been shortened" to indicate that something is now shorter in length or duration. For instance, "The movie "has been shortened" to fit the television time slot".

What are some alternatives to "has been shortened"?

You can use alternatives such as "has been reduced in length", "has been curtailed", or "has been abbreviated" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was shortened" instead of "has been shortened"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have different implications. "Was shortened" implies a single action in the past, while "has been shortened" suggests a change that has occurred over time or is relevant to the present.

What's the difference between "has been shortened" and "has been reduced"?

"Has been shortened" specifically refers to a reduction in length or duration. "Has been reduced" is broader and can apply to quantities, prices, or other measurable aspects. While you could say a skirt "has been shortened", you'd say the price of a product "has been reduced".