shorten down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'shorten down' is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
To express the same idea you could use the phrase 'shorten', as in the following example: I need to shorten the essay by 100 words.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

However, the satisfaction ratings of both leaders have fallen, with Turnbull dropping two points to 32% and Shorten down by one to 33%.

The Guardian

On the question of who would be a better prime minister, 38% opted for Abbott (up 3% since September) and 32% preferred Shorten (down 4%).

The Guardian

One backroom player suggests it's possible some Labor voters mark Shorten down because they associate him with destructive party culture because of his visibility during the backroom machinations of the Rudd/Gillard period.

The Guardian

If they shorten down to a critical level, they lose their protective capability and trigger a DNA-damage response leading to cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence [ 5].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

According to our experiments, dye coating time can be shortened down from several hours to 3 min.

Electrochimica Acta

In addition, by shortening down converted noise power around oscillating signal second harmonic, more phase-noise suppression has been achieved.

AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications

From water contact angle measurement results, the exposure time was clearly demonstrated to be shortened down to 300 s with our innovated apparatus from 1200 s attained previously.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Analogs shortened down to cLALF10 were much less active.

Critical Care

Shorten played down his poor standing in the polls.

The Guardian

Speaking after consulting with LGBTI leaders on Tuesday, Shorten shut down government suggestions of a Labor compromising to pass the plebiscite bill.

The Guardian

But Shorten played down the significance of the bill, saying it would be a "serious matter" for the government to lose a vote on the bill, but, as "it's not a matter of confidence or supply", it would not bring the government down.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, favor the single word "shorten" instead of the redundant phrase "shorten down" for clearer and more impactful writing.

Common error

Don't use "shorten down" because it's redundant. "Shorten" already implies reducing in length or duration, making "down" unnecessary and weakening your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shorten down" functions as a verb phrase, where the intention is to indicate the action of reducing the length, duration, or extent of something. However, Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect, recommending the use of "shorten" instead.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "shorten down" might appear in some contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to its redundancy. The single word "shorten" is a more concise and appropriate choice for formal writing. Although instances of "shorten down" can be found, particularly in science, news, and wiki sources, it is advisable to use "shorten" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. By opting for the single word, you avoid unnecessary repetition and strengthen the impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduce

Focuses on decreasing size, amount, or intensity. It's more general and doesn't necessarily imply a length reduction.

Decrease

Similar to reduce, emphasizing a lessening in quantity or degree, applicable in various contexts.

Trim

Suggests removing excess or unwanted parts, often to improve appearance or functionality.

Abbreviate

Refers specifically to shortening words or phrases while preserving meaning.

Condense

Implies making something more compact and dense, often by removing unnecessary elements.

Cut

A more direct term for reducing the length or size of something.

Lessen

Emphasizes a reduction in severity or impact, not necessarily physical length.

Curtail

Suggests restricting or limiting something, often referring to activities or freedoms.

Contract

Implies a shrinking or becoming smaller, often due to external forces or conditions.

Compress

Focuses on squeezing something into a smaller space, often by applying pressure.

FAQs

Is "shorten down" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "shorten down" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. It's recommended to use the single word "shorten" instead.

What does "shorten" mean?

The word "shorten" means to make something shorter in length, duration, or extent. It implies a reduction in size or time.

Can I use "reduce" instead of "shorten down"?

Yes, "reduce" is a suitable alternative to "shorten down", although "shorten" specifically refers to making something shorter, while "reduce" is a more general term for decreasing something.

When is it appropriate to use "shorten" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "shorten" when you want to indicate that something is being made shorter, whether it's a physical object, a period of time, or a piece of writing.