it shortens

USAGE SUMMARY

"it shortens" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how something reduces in duration or size. For example, "The new software update it shortens the time of the process by half."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

URL shorteners are sites you'll learn to love as a tweeter: it shortens your long URLs into things that will easily fit into the 140 character limit.

WikiHow

"It shortens the learning curve".

The New York Times

It shortens life by seven years and costs the economy £7.4bn a year.

The Guardian

It shortens our depth a little bit, but we still have a good lineup".

The New York Times

It shortens a person's horizons and narrows his perspective, creating a dangerous tunnel vision.

The Economist

Doctors here use it to treat H1N1 (it shortens the duration of symptoms) and as a prophylactic.

The New York Times - Health

"It shortens your time horizons -- making you think that if you are itching to do something, you should do it".

The New York Times

"It shortens people's lifespan and contributes to serious illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory problems and cancer.

The Guardian

It shortens the early voting window, bans same-day registration during early voting and prohibits paid voter registration drives.

The New York Times

His most recent research argues that fiscal spending could be self-financing if it shortens unemployment spells.

The Economist

Still, moving was worth it to him, because it shortens his commute to work in downtown Manhattan — and because in Staten Island, he was living with his parents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it shortens", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being shortened and by how much (e.g., "It shortens the commute by 15 minutes").

Common error

Avoid using "it shortens" without a clear antecedent for "it". Make sure the reader knows exactly what the "it" refers to in your sentence to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it shortens" functions as a verb phrase where 'it' acts as the subject and 'shortens' is the verb. This phrase describes the action of reducing something in length, duration, or extent. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is correct and applicable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it shortens" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something reduces the length, duration, or extent of something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is commonly found in news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the antecedent of "it" is unambiguous to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "it reduces" or "it lessens" can be used for a more general meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it reduces

This alternative is a more general term for making something smaller or less.

it lessens

This alternative is a broader term for making something less in quantity, degree, or intensity.

it curtails

This alternative suggests a restriction or reduction, especially of something that was previously longer or more extensive.

it abbreviates

This alternative implies making something shorter, often by omitting parts.

it truncates

This alternative suggests cutting something short or removing the end.

it diminishes

This alternative focuses on a gradual decrease in size, importance, or intensity.

it contracts

This alternative suggests a shrinking or becoming smaller, often due to an external force or condition.

it condenses

This alternative implies making something more compact or concentrated.

it pares down

This alternative implies reducing something to its essential elements.

it cuts back

This alternative suggests a reduction in spending or consumption.

FAQs

How can I use "it shortens" in a sentence?

Use "it shortens" to describe how something reduces the length, duration, or size of something else. For example, "The new software update "it shortens" the processing time."

What are some alternatives to "it shortens"?

You can use alternatives such as "it reduces", "it curtails", or "it lessens" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it shortens" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it shortens" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb agreement where "it" is a singular pronoun and "shortens" is the corresponding verb form.

What's the difference between "it shortens" and "it reduces"?

"It shortens" specifically implies a reduction in length or duration. "It reduces" is more general and can refer to a decrease in any quantity, size, or intensity.