shorter than

USAGE SUMMARY

"shorter than" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "The ride home was shorter than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Shorter than they knew.

The New York Times

She's shorter than I am".

The New York Times - Magazine

He's shorter than I'd imagined.

Independent

Now it's shorter than before.

The New York Times

She was shorter than me.

The New Yorker

Shorter than Marco Rubio.

The New Yorker

Southerners have long been shorter than northerners.

The Economist

Some honeymoons are shorter than others.

The New York Times - Sports

It's shorter than the book, just about.

The Guardian - Tech

She was much shorter than her bass.

The New Yorker

Because tweets are shorter than statuses?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing physical dimensions, ensure the context clearly indicates which dimension (height, width, length) is being compared using the phrase "shorter than".

Common error

Avoid using "shorter than" when comparing abstract qualities like emotions or experiences. Instead, opt for phrases like "less intense than" or "not as impactful as" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shorter than" is as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to compare the length, duration, or size of two entities, indicating that one is less extended than the other. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shorter than" functions as a common and grammatically sound comparative adjective phrase, widely used to indicate that one thing is less long or of less duration than another. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its diverse application across various domains, particularly in news, scientific, and general contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the comparative context is clear and accurate to prevent potential misinterpretations. Alternatives like "less lengthy than" or "not as long as" offer nuanced ways to express similar comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as long as

A straightforward substitution using common synonyms for length.

less lengthy than

Replaces "shorter" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the reduced length.

smaller in length than

Replaces "shorter" with a more descriptive phrase specifying length.

of briefer duration than

Focuses on the time aspect using "duration" instead of physical length.

of reduced size compared to

A more formal and detailed expression of size comparison.

more concise than

Emphasizes brevity and succinctness, suitable for abstract comparisons.

not quite as extensive as

Suggests a comparison of scope or reach rather than just physical length.

abridged compared to

Implies a deliberate reduction in length, often used for texts or versions.

lesser in extent than

Uses 'extent' to suggest a comparison of range or magnitude.

trimmed down from

Suggests the active removal of material to reduce length.

FAQs

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

You can use "shorter than" to compare lengths, durations, or sizes. For example, "This route is "shorter than" the other one" or "Her hair is "shorter than" mine."

What are some alternatives to "shorter than"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "not as long as", "less lengthy than", or "of briefer duration than" as alternatives to "shorter than".

Is it correct to say "more short than" instead of "shorter than"?

No, "more short than" is grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative form of "short" is "shorter". Use ""shorter than"" for accurate comparisons.

When should I use "less than" instead of "shorter than"?

"Less than" is generally used for quantities or amounts, while ""shorter than"" is used for length or duration. For example, "less than 50" refers to an amount, whereas ""shorter than" an hour" refers to time.