relatively short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is shorter in comparison to other things or to a standard length. Example: "The meeting was relatively short, lasting only thirty minutes compared to the usual hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Autumn is relatively short.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We live relatively short lives.

The New York Times

The legs are relatively short.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These are in relatively short supply.

The Economist

Action is in relatively short supply.

Independent

This is a relatively short list.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

My first marriage was relatively short-lived.

The New Yorker

But even that dustup was relatively short-lived.

The New York Times

But alas, the celebration was relatively short-lived.

The New York Times - Books

Others were relatively short-lived, but no less entertaining.

The New Yorker

Deer eat them, and they are relatively short-lived.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively short", ensure the comparison is clear to the reader. What is it short compared to? Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively short" without providing a reference point. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact. Always ensure the reader understands what is being compared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively short" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that describes the degree or extent of shortness of a noun. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to indicate that something is shorter compared to a specific standard or expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relatively short" is a common and correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is shorter in comparison to something else or to a generally accepted standard. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and versatile across various contexts, as the examples demonstrate. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral register. When using "relatively short", be sure to provide enough context for your audience to understand the comparison you are making, avoiding vagueness and enhancing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparatively brief

Emphasizes brevity by using "brief" instead of "short" and "comparatively" instead of "relatively".

moderately concise

Replaces "short" with "concise", highlighting brevity in expression or content, and uses "moderately" for a similar degree of relativity.

somewhat limited

Shifts the focus to limitation rather than length, implying that something is restricted in duration or extent, while "somewhat" indicates relativity.

fairly curtailed

Uses "curtailed" to suggest that something has been shortened or reduced, with "fairly" indicating a degree of moderation.

reasonably abbreviated

Focuses on the reduced form of something, using "abbreviated" in place of "short", while "reasonably" provides a sense of relativity.

slightly diminutive

Employs "diminutive" to emphasize the small size or reduced nature, and "slightly" to express relativity.

relatively compact

Replaces "short" with "compact", suggesting a reduced size or condensed form, while keeping "relatively" to maintain the comparison.

comparatively truncated

Uses "truncated" to suggest that something has been cut short or abbreviated, with "comparatively" indicating a comparison.

moderately reduced

Employs "reduced" to highlight the decrease in size or length, and "moderately" to show a degree of relativity.

somewhat condensed

Focuses on the compact and concentrated nature of something, using "condensed" instead of "short", while "somewhat" provides a sense of relativity.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively short" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively short" to describe something that is shorter in comparison to something else or to a general expectation. For example, "The presentation was relatively short compared to previous years."

What's a good alternative to "relatively short"?

Alternatives include "fairly brief", "somewhat limited", or "moderately concise", depending on the specific context.

What does "relatively short" mean?

"Relatively short" means something is short in comparison to something else, implying it's not absolutely short but shorter than a certain standard or expectation.

Is it better to say "relatively short" or "quite short"?

Both "relatively short" and "quite short" are acceptable, but "relatively short" emphasizes the comparison more explicitly, while "quite short" simply indicates a noticeable degree of shortness.