make it shorter

USAGE SUMMARY

"make it shorter" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest to someone that they shorten a piece of writing, like a story or an essay. For example, "Can you make it shorter? I only have room for 500 words, and your essay is almost twice that length."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

One solution was to make it shorter.

The New Yorker

Without seeing the failing play, Kaufman replied, "Make it shorter".

The New York Times - Books

You've got to figure out how to make it shorter".

The New Yorker

It'd never be short enough for me, have to make it shorter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's not going to help us avoid a recession, but it could make it shorter".

The New York Times

He knows we need to make it shorter to not be as intimidating.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing feedback on written work, use "make it shorter" to encourage conciseness and eliminate unnecessary details. For example, "The introduction is well-written, but to maintain the reader's interest, consider "make it shorter".

Common error

Avoid making something so short that it loses its core meaning or impact. "Make it shorter", but ensure all essential information remains. Cutting too much can sacrifice clarity and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it shorter" functions as an imperative, directing someone to reduce the length of something. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, from editing written material to adjusting physical objects. It's a straightforward command aimed at achieving conciseness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make it shorter" is a grammatically correct and very common imperative phrase used to instruct someone to reduce the length of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, media, and wiki environments. When a more formal tone is required, alternatives like "reduce its length" should be considered. Remember to avoid over-editing, which can sacrifice the core meaning. Use this phrase judiciously to promote conciseness and clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shorten it

Directly conveys the action of making something shorter; maintains a similar level of directness and simplicity.

condense it

Suggests reducing something, like text or an argument, to its most essential parts.

cut it down

Implies reducing the size or length, often by removing unnecessary parts.

trim it

Suggests removing small portions to make something shorter and neater.

make it briefer

Uses a more formal adjective to indicate shortening something, particularly speech or writing.

reduce its length

A more formal way of saying "make it shorter", emphasizing the reduction in length.

abridge it

Implies creating a shorter version of a written work, maintaining its core content.

compact it

Suggests making something smaller and more efficient, often by removing unnecessary elements.

scale it down

Implies reducing the overall size or scope of something, which indirectly shortens it.

summarize it

Focuses on presenting the main points in a shorter form, often used for texts or speeches.

FAQs

How can I use "make it shorter" in a sentence?

You can use "make it shorter" to suggest condensing something. For example, "The editor asked me to "make it shorter" to fit the word count."

What can I say instead of "make it shorter"?

Alternatives include "shorten it", "condense it", or "cut it down", each implying a reduction in length.

When is it appropriate to tell someone to "make it shorter"?

It's appropriate when content is too long for its intended purpose or audience, such as an essay exceeding a word limit or a presentation that needs to be more concise.

Is "make it shorter" a formal or informal expression?

"Make it shorter" is generally considered a neutral to informal expression. In formal contexts, consider using "reduce its length" or "abridge it" for a more professional tone.