make it short

USAGE SUMMARY

"make it short" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to request that someone or something be brief or concise in what they are saying or writing. Example: "Can you please make your presentation shorter? We only have 20 minutes for each speaker."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It said: "Make it short.

The New York Times

(inaudible) make it short (inaudible).

The Washington Post

CROWLEY: Governor Romney, you can make it short.

The Washington Post

Make it short, I told my barber in Chelsea before shipping out.

The New York Times

"It's like having your 15 minutes of fame -- make it short and sweet," he said.

The New York Times

"I'll make it short," said the 24-year-old point guard.

The New York Times - Sports

Make it short and sweet while covering the key points and features of your design and why you chose them.

Stanford University

You can use this section to highlight your resume or make it short and sweet and to the point.

Stanford University

"To make it short, I gave this one guy a needle decompression just for the hell of it," he said.

The New Yorker

If he took someone off, he'd make it short; wait for the gasp and the recognition and then stop.

The Guardian - Film

And part of it was like, if I can make it short enough, then I think it'll be good to be able to get me commercials, too".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions or feedback, use "make it short" to encourage clear and concise communication, saving time and preventing misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "make it short" in situations where a more tactful or polite request for brevity is needed. Consider softening the phrase with a "please" or explaining the reason for the request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it short" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to be brief or concise. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase. This construction emphasizes the need for brevity in communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

32%

News & Media

31%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make it short" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to request brevity and conciseness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in informal settings and news media. When using "make it short", be mindful of the tone to avoid abruptness, and consider alternatives like "be brief" or "keep it concise" in more formal situations. It is also important to remember the phrase's direct tone to avoid any misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be brief

Emphasizes conciseness in communication.

keep it brief

Similar to "make it short", focusing on maintaining brevity.

be concise

Highlights the importance of expressing something clearly and in few words.

keep it concise

Similar to "be concise", but with a focus on maintaining conciseness throughout.

get to the point

Focuses on directness and avoiding unnecessary details.

be succinct

Highlights the importance of precise and compressed expression.

cut to the chase

Similar to "get to the point", but often used in a more informal setting.

summarize it

Implies condensing information into a shorter form.

condense it

Focuses on reducing the length or size of something.

make it snappy

Suggests speed and efficiency in addition to brevity.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "make it short"?

You can soften the request by saying "Could you please be brief?" or "Please keep it concise". Adding "if you don't mind" or providing a reason can also help.

What is the difference between "make it brief" and "make it short"?

"Make it brief" and "make it short" are largely interchangeable. However, "make it short" can sometimes imply a sense of urgency or informality.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "make it short"?

Use "make it short" when you need someone to be concise due to time constraints, or when you want to discourage unnecessary details. It's best suited for informal situations.

What are some alternatives to "make it short" for formal settings?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "Could you summarize, please?", "Please be concise in your remarks" or "I would appreciate it if you could keep your presentation brief".