help to shorten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help to shorten" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ways to reduce the length or duration of something, such as a process, text, or time. Example: "These new strategies will help to shorten the time it takes to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Treatment includes erythromycin, an antibiotic that may help to shorten the duration of illness and the period of communicability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I've broken maybe 10% of the barrier of fear and put the regime on the defensive .The viruses of doubt and hope may well help to shorten the life of Egypt's pyramid of state in the end, but perhaps not quite yet.

The Economist

Warm compresses and frequent breast feeding also help to shorten the duration of symptoms.

Insights into Imaging

The correlations observed could help to shorten evaluation times and reduce costs in sperm laboratories.

Animal Reproduction Science

The ab-initio calculations help to shorten development times of new materials such as those proposed in this paper.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

It can help to shorten product and process development cycles, optimize processes to improve energy efficiency and environmental performance, and solve problems as they arise in plant operations.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Tunny decrypts are credited with helping to shorten the war by at least two years.

The Guardian

Army historians reckon that it was one of the developments that helped to shorten the war, and thereby saved lives.

The Economist

The kitchen sees itself as helping to carry on Martin Luther King Jr.'s Poor People's Campaign for economic justice, empowering the dispossessed and feeding the hungry, caring for the people in line while helping to shorten it.

The New York Times

Those improvements helped to shorten the travel time by as much as a month: emigrants could more easily cross rivers in high water, they could make repairs quickly and conveniently, and trail-worn draft animals could be traded for fresh ones, thus avoiding long layovers to rest the teams.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This helps to shorten the time of the review process.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "help to shorten", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being shortened. For instance, specify whether you are referring to a process, a document, or a period of time.

Common error

Avoid using "help to shorten" without specifying what you are shortening. For example, instead of saying "This will help to shorten", clarify it as "This will help to shorten the project timeline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help to shorten" functions as a verb phrase indicating assistance in reducing the duration or length of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. It describes an action that contributes to making something shorter.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "help to shorten" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe actions that reduce the length or duration of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse contexts. Its neutral register and frequent occurrence in scientific, news, and general writing make it a valuable phrase for expressing efficiency and improvement. Related phrases like "assist in reducing" and "aid in minimizing" offer nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what you are trying to make shorter. With its widespread application, "help to shorten" is a reliable choice for conveying the idea of making something more concise or efficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist in reducing

This alternative replaces "help" with "assist" and uses the gerund form "reducing" offering a slightly more formal tone.

aid in minimizing

This alternative substitutes "help" with "aid" and "shorten" with "minimizing", suggesting a focus on reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

contribute to shortening

This option emphasizes the contribution or role in the act of shortening something.

facilitate a shorter

This alternative introduces "facilitate" implying to make easier or assist the progress of making something shorter.

expedite the reduction of

Using "expedite" emphasizes accelerating the process of reduction.

speed up the process of

This phrase focuses on accelerating the process.

accelerate the decline of

Here, "accelerate" is used to hasten the decrease or reduction of something.

cut down on the duration of

This phrase directly indicates reducing the length of time.

reduce the length of

A straightforward alternative that focuses on making something shorter in length.

curtail the extent of

This option indicates limiting or restricting the scope or degree of something.

FAQs

How can I use "help to shorten" in a sentence?

You can use "help to shorten" to describe actions or methods that reduce the length or duration of something. For example, "Using warm compresses can "help to shorten" the duration of symptoms."

What are some alternatives to "help to shorten"?

Alternatives to "help to shorten" include phrases like "assist in reducing", "aid in minimizing", or "contribute to shortening", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "help to shorten"?

Yes, "help to shorten" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

What's the difference between "help to shorten" and "helps to shorten"?

"Help to shorten" is used with plural subjects or 'I', while "helps to shorten" is used with singular subjects. For example, "These methods help to shorten the process," versus "This method helps to shorten the process."