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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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shortened down

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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].

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

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

Forbes
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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

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.

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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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: