shorten out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shorten out" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a confusion of terms, possibly mixing "short out" and "shorten." Example: "The circuit may short out if there is a power surge."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Malcolm Turnbull called Shorten out early for taking credit for the government's good works (or following the opposition's lead, depending on which side you believe).

The Guardian

"You look at the front page of The Australian the other day, which had Shorten out there campaigning for same-sex marriage.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His net satisfaction rating plummeted from +38 when he was elected to around -14. Shorten set out to inspire but didn't quite inspire enough.

The Guardian

In broader observations about the state of national debate, Shorten pointed out that claims about a lack of political consensus were nothing new, but warned that "debilitating cynicism" and apathy were "more difficult opponents for us than even Tony Abbott".

The Guardian

The Indian Olympic Association said the Olympic torch relay would be shortened out of concern for security, according to The Press Trust of India.

The New York Times

Shorten has broken out all of Labor's lines and formulations on the budget at his press conference, as he is prone to doing.

The Guardian

"Do you want to start naming them and for Mr Shorten to come out and deny any of the rumours that have been circulating in this building now for many, many years.

Vice

You can also shorten or take out a solo.

WikiHow

Shorten or take out an extra instrumental part, or the intro and outro.

WikiHow

Mr Shorten is out there saying that if Labor is re elected the carbon tax comes back.

The Guardian

Let's also be clear about how Shorten washed out of his gruelling 48 hours in the witness box.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "shorten out" in formal writing. Consider using more precise and common alternatives like "shorten", "reduce", or "cut down" depending on the context.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "shorten out" when they intend to use "short out" (electrical context) or simply "shorten". Ensure you're using the correct phrase for the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shorten out" functions as a phrasal verb, although its usage is questionable. It appears to suggest the act of reducing something in length by removing a part. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not standard and less examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "shorten out" might be encountered, it is not considered standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, using "shorten out" is often grammatically incorrect. Better alternatives, depending on the context, include "shorten", "reduce", or "cut down". When writing, prioritizing clarity and using widely accepted phrases will improve the quality and professionalism of your communication. When thinking of alternative expressions consider: "speed out", "compress out" or "trim out".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trim out

Suggests removing unnecessary parts to make something neater or more efficient.

speed out

Emphasizes making something faster rather than just shorter. Shifts the focus to velocity.

compress out

Focuses on reducing the size or volume of something, typically by applying pressure.

minimise out

Highlights reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree, differing from simple shortening.

shrink out

Implies a reduction in size or amount, often due to external forces or conditions.

minimize out

Highlights reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree, differing from simple shortening.

curtail out

Indicates limiting or restricting something, often implying a degree of control or authority.

accelerate out

Focuses on increasing the speed or rate of something, not just reducing its length.

decrease out

Implies a gradual reduction in quantity, size, or intensity, suggesting a more measured change.

narrow out

Refers to reducing the width or scope of something, focusing on making it less broad.

FAQs

Is "shorten out" grammatically correct?

The phrase "shorten out" is not generally considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "shorten", "reduce", or "cut down".

What can I say instead of "shorten out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "shorten", "reduce", "cut down", or rephrase your sentence for clarity.

When might I use "shorten out"?

While not standard, "shorten out" might be used informally to describe making something shorter by removing something. However, clearer alternatives are generally preferred.

What's the difference between "shorten" and "shorten out"?

"Shorten" is a standard verb meaning to make something shorter. "Shorten out" is not a standard or widely accepted phrase. It's advisable to use "shorten" instead.