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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
shortened down
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "shortened down" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is simply "shortened." Example: "The report was shortened to fit within the required page limit."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
According to our experiments, dye coating time can be shortened down from several hours to 3 min.
Science
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.
Analogs shortened down to cLALF10 were much less active.
Science
The desorption time could be greatly shortened down to about 2 min by adding the flow of water-vapor-enriched air at the beginning of the recovery stage which had been confirmed as a rapid and high-efficiency desorption process.
Science
The most dramatic feature of the topological change in GIR1 is that the joining segment that connects to the 5′ strand of P7 comes from P15 (J15/7) rather than from P8 (J8/7) and that it has been shortened down to 3 nt as a consequence of the extension of P15.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
In addition, by shortening down converted noise power around oscillating signal second harmonic, more phase-noise suppression has been achieved.
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.
News & Media
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].
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%).
News & Media
However, the satisfaction ratings of both leaders have fallen, with Turnbull dropping two points to 32% and Shorten down by one to 33%.
News & Media
They could shorten the maturation to cut down on costs, but then the cheese that we eat would not be as tasty". Due to the slow time to market, it's essential that farmers have access to credit lines.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Favor using the single word "shortened" instead of "shortened down" for better clarity and adherence to standard English. For example, use "The presentation was shortened" instead of "The presentation was shortened down."
Common error
Avoid using "shortened down" as it is redundant. The word "shortened" already implies a reduction in length or duration; adding "down" is unnecessary and can make your writing sound less polished.
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "shortened down" functions as a phrasal verb aiming to express the act of reducing something in length or duration. Ludwig AI indicates that using just "shortened" is grammatically preferable.
Frequent in
News & Media
37%
Science
37%
Wiki
26%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while "shortened down" is used in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, it's generally considered redundant. Ludwig AI suggests that the single word "shortened" is grammatically preferred and more concise. For clarity and adherence to standard English, it is better to use alternatives such as "reduced", "abbreviated", or "condensed", especially in formal writing. The primary issue is the redundancy of "down", as "shortened" already implies a decrease in length or duration.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
reduced
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
decreased
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
abbreviated
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
condensed
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
curtailed
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
compressed
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
trimmed
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
cut
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
lessened
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
minimized
This alternative avoids the phrasal verb construction, offering a direct synonym for "shortened".
FAQs
Is it grammatically correct to say "shortened down"?
No, the phrase "shortened down" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The word "shortened" already implies a reduction, making "down" redundant. It's best to simply use "shortened".
What's the difference between "shortened" and "shortened down"?
While "shortened down" is sometimes used, it's redundant. "Shortened" alone is sufficient and grammatically preferred. Using "shortened" is concise and clearer.
How can I use "shortened" in a sentence?
You can use "shortened" in a sentence like this: "The meeting was shortened to one hour" or "The article was shortened for publication."
What are some alternatives to "shortened down"?
Instead of "shortened down", you can use "reduced", "abbreviated", or "condensed". The best choice depends on the specific context.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested