is shorter than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is shorter than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the lengths of two or more items, such as words, phrases, or objects. Example: "The word 'cat' is shorter than the word 'elephant'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost every video is shorter than five minutes.

The New York Times - Tech

But time is shorter than it may appear to be.

The Guardian

"I'm afraid my daughter is shorter than her peers.

The New York Times

A sedentary life is shorter than it should be.

The New York Times

Life expectancy in prison is shorter than it is outside.

The New York Times

BERNSTEIN must also adapt to the fact that Wall Street's attention span is shorter than ever.

The New York Times

It is shorter than some of its cousins, reaching only about 2 feet in stature.

The New York Times

They won't be at a breakout point that is shorter than the one that exists today.

The New Yorker

At two hours, "Woyzeck" is shorter than many other Wilson productions.

The New York Times

He is shorter than Kumble, bowls slower but has an equally easy action.

The Guardian - Sport

The photographer, a German, was troubled by the fact that Hulisi is shorter than Petra.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing lengths, ensure both subjects of comparison are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This rope is shorter", specify "This rope is shorter than that one."

Common error

Avoid using "is shorter" without the "than" when making a comparison. Saying "This is shorter" is incomplete; you must specify what it is shorter than.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is shorter than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing has a smaller length, duration, or extent compared to another. Ludwig provides numerous examples to show how this phrase is used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

26%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is shorter than" serves as a comparative adjective phrase to indicate that one thing has less length or duration than another. Ludwig AI shows its frequent usage across diverse sources, including news, scientific articles, and wiki content, confirming its broad applicability and grammatical correctness. While the phrase is simple, it's important to use it correctly to create clarity and meaning. Avoiding omissions, like dropping the 'than' element, is key to using it effectively. Numerous alternatives exist to add richness to language, as well, such as "is less lengthy than", but the original phrase remains the most common way to express the comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not as long as

Uses a negative comparison to convey the same meaning.

is less lengthy than

Focuses on the duration or extent rather than physical length.

doesn't reach the length of

Emphasizes that it doesn't meet a certain threshold.

is of smaller size than

Emphasizes physical dimensions or scale.

is on a smaller scale than

Highlights a difference in magnitude or extent.

is tinier compared to

Implies a significant difference in size.

is abbreviated compared to

Focuses on brevity, usually in textual contexts.

is a reduced version of

Indicates a smaller or abbreviated form.

is more concise than

Refers to brevity in writing or speech.

is compressed compared to

Suggests something has been made smaller.

FAQs

How can I use "is shorter than" in a sentence?

Use "is shorter than" to compare the length, duration, or extent of two things. For example, "The blue rope "is shorter than" the red one", or "The meeting "is shorter than" expected".

What's the difference between "is shorter than" and "is less than"?

"Is shorter than" typically refers to physical length or duration, while "is less than" is used for numerical or abstract comparisons. A rope "is shorter than" another, but a price "is less than" another.

Which is correct, "is shorter than" or "is more short than"?

"Is shorter than" is the correct comparative form. "More short than" is grammatically incorrect because "shorter" is already a comparative adjective. Use ""is shorter than"".

What can I say instead of "is shorter than"?

You can use alternatives like "is less lengthy than", "is not as long as", or "is of smaller size than" depending on the specific context.