it was short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was short" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that had a brief duration or length, such as an event, a piece of writing, or a conversation. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for an hour, but it was short, lasting only 20 minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

It was short.

The New York Times - Sports

It was short for Maloney.

The New York Times

"It was short and sweet.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, it was short.

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly it was short.

The New York Times - Arts

But it was short on substance.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It was short-order at its best.

The New York Times - Travel

It was short-lived.

The New York Times - Sports

It was short-term.

Independent

"But it was short-lived.

The New York Times - Arts

If so, it was short-lived.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing time or length, ensure the context is clear. Instead of saying "it was short", specify what "it" refers to, like "the meeting was short" or "the movie was short".

Common error

Avoid using "it was short" as a vague statement. Always provide context to clarify what is being described and why its shortness is relevant. For example, instead of just saying "it was short", you could say, "The presentation was short, but very informative".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was short" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing something as having a limited duration, length, or extent. Ludwig AI shows that is used across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was short" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something of limited duration or length. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources, indicating its versatility across various registers. While its meaning is generally straightforward, it's crucial to provide context to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "it was brief" or "it was concise" can be used for emphasis or to suit specific nuances. Avoid overuse without context to ensure effective communication. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable and correct. It's important to always provide context. Examples are: "The lecture was short and to the point" or "Her visit was short, but memorable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was brief

Focuses on the concise nature of something.

it was concise

Emphasizes the lack of unnecessary details.

it was succinct

Highlights the expression of much in few words.

it was abbreviated

Indicates a shortened or curtailed form.

it was momentary

Stresses the fleeting nature of an event or experience.

it was fleeting

Similar to momentary, but can also imply a sense of loss.

it was transient

Focuses on the temporary or impermanent quality.

it was curtailed

Implies that something was cut short or reduced.

it didn't last long

Simple expression highlighting the limited duration.

it was ephemerous

Highlight the short duration of something, with an implicit idea of beauty.

FAQs

What does "it was short" mean?

The phrase "it was short" means that something had a brief duration or length. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it's used.

What can I say instead of "it was short"?

You can use alternatives like "it was brief", "it was concise", or "it was fleeting" depending on the context.

How to use "it was short" in a sentence?

You can use "it was short" to describe a variety of things. For example, "The lecture was short and to the point" or "Her visit was short, but memorable".

Which is correct, "it was short" or "it was shortly"?

"It was short" is correct when describing duration or length. "Shortly" is an adverb meaning "soon" or "in a little while", so "it was shortly" is grammatically incorrect in this context.