shorter duration than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shorter duration than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the length of time of two events or activities. Example: "The meeting will have a shorter duration than the previous one, allowing us to finish earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Medical education is of shorter duration than it is in Europe, and there is greater emphasis on practical work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The natural wetlands flood earlier and have a shorter duration than paddy rice in the Panjin Plain, a temperate region in China.

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation

This little crisis was of a much shorter duration than our account of it, but then it could have hardly have been longer, for it had taken five hours including nodding-off breaks to read it.

The Guardian - Books

"Asset-sensitive" firms, whose assets are of shorter duration than their liabilities and therefore reprice faster, tend to do well when rates rise.

The Economist

For example, tickets that have reached their expiration time can still be used (and renewed if they are renewable tickets) if they have been expired for a shorter duration than the clockskew setting.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize nano hydroxyapatite (nHAp) in a shorter duration than what conventionally occurs today (over 24 h) through a novel biomimetic approach.

Materials Chemistry and Physics

This method exhibits an outstanding transfer rate of catalyst layers from substrates to the membrane, despite hot-pressing at a considerably lower pressure and for a much shorter duration than the flat-press based conventional decal method.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Precipitation from shower clouds and thunderstorms, whether in the form of raindrops, pellets of soft hail, or true hailstones, is generally of great intensity and shorter duration than that from layer clouds and is usually composed of larger particles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The word Konzertstück typically indicates a single extended movement, but Schumann may have preferred it because the movements of the piece are of shorter duration than was typical of the concerto.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The strategic planning stage is usually more concentrated and of shorter duration than the execution stage.

Forbes

The ruling opens new opportunities for industries that previously relied on design patents, which are expensive and of shorter duration than copyrights, to protect their works.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shorter duration than" when contrasting the length of time something lasts, especially when precision is important. Instead of vague terms like "briefly", specify the comparative difference.

Common error

Avoid using "shorter duration than" when comparing qualities that are not related to time. For instance, it would be incorrect to say "a shorter duration than a shadow" when referring to the visibility of something unless you're directly discussing how long each is visible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shorter duration than" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that one event or state lasts for a briefer period compared to another. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this comparative function across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shorter duration than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase for expressing that something lasts a briefer period, as confirmed by Ludwig. While suitable for formal and scientific contexts, alternatives might be preferred in casual settings. The key is to ensure temporal consistency and avoid misuse in non-temporal comparisons. As Ludwig demonstrates, this phrase is effective for providing clear and quantitative contrasts in discussions about time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lesser duration than

Replaces "shorter" with "lesser", emphasizing a smaller amount of time.

briefer span than

Uses "briefer" and "span" for a more concise expression.

smaller timeframe compared to

Shifts the structure to use "compared to" instead of "than".

not as long as

Presents a more straightforward comparison of length.

a more limited period than

Employs "limited period" to describe a shorter time.

a reduced time compared with

Uses "reduced" instead of "shorter" and "with" instead of "than".

a curtailed length of time versus

Replaces duration with "length of time" and than with "versus".

lasting a briefer period than

Emphasizes the action of lasting with a "briefer period".

a quicker time interval than

Uses quicker instead of shorter and timeframe instead of duration.

of a more fleeting existence than

Emphasizes the transience and brevity using "fleeting existence".

FAQs

How can I use "shorter duration than" in a sentence?

You can use "shorter duration than" to compare the length of time of two events or processes. For example: "The meeting had a "shorter duration than" expected, allowing us to finish early."

What's the difference between "shorter duration than" and "less time than"?

"Shorter duration than" and "less time than" are similar, but "shorter duration than" often implies a more formal or technical context, focusing specifically on the length of something. You can use alternatives like "less time than" in general contexts.

What are some alternatives to "shorter duration than"?

Alternatives include "lesser duration than", "briefer span than", or simply "not as long as", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "shorter duration than" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "shorter duration than" is better suited for formal, scientific, or technical writing. In informal contexts, phrases like "not as long as" or "less time than" may be more appropriate.