shorter than average

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shorter than average" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when comparing the length or height of something to a standard or typical measurement. An example: "The new employee is shorter than average for someone in this position." Alternative expressions include "below average in height" and "less than average in length."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Naturally, he looks like me: shorter than average, with a fine build, hazel eyes, and light-brown hair.

The New Yorker

Because the previous cycles had been shorter than average, Dr. Hathaway thought the next one would be shorter and thus solar minimum was imminent.

The New York Times - Science

The 26-bed acute mental health facility has high levels of user satisfaction, very low admissions rates, and shorter than average lengths of stay.

The Guardian

Short men are unlucky in politics (only five of forty-three Presidents have been shorter than average) and unluckier in love.

The New Yorker

Currently they have the same life expectancy of people who lived in the 1950s – some 10 to 15 years shorter than average.

The Guardian

It also showed that men of average height to extremely tall height had between one and three more sex partners than shorter than average men.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

In fact, this trait was linked to shorter-than-average life span, he found.

The New York Times - Science

Next to the show's producers and the shorter-than-average actors hoping to find employment in future productions, the people with the most at stake work in Toronto's tourism industry.

The New York Times

Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie), a smug corporate headhunter, introduces himself in voice-over as all but a walking neurosis: a shorter-than-average, supposedly homely man who believes that he retains his statuesque wife only through luxurious upkeep.

The New York Times

Combine that with society's distaste for shorter-than-average height, and many Asian men are made to feel that they are lesser.

Vice

Potential candidate annotation errors were identified in C. elegans by looking for genes with a shorter-than-average first intron followed by a much longer-than-average second intron.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes, use "shorter than average" to provide a clear and relatable comparison to a general expectation. This helps the reader quickly understand the relative size or height being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "shorter than average" in contexts where it implies a negative judgment or deficiency. Instead, focus on factual descriptions and avoid language that might suggest inferiority or inadequacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shorter than average" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun's size, length, or duration is less than what is considered typical or standard. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate the phrase modifying various nouns across contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shorter than average" is a grammatically sound comparative phrase used to indicate that something is less in length or height than what is typically expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is common across varied contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While generally neutral, its appropriateness depends on context, with care needed to avoid unintended negative implications. Alternative phrases like "below average height" or "less than the mean height" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. The most authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian. This phrase is useful for providing a clear and relatable comparison, but avoid using it in situations where it implies negativity or deficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below average height

Focuses specifically on height, providing a direct alternative when referring to a person's stature.

less than the mean height

Emphasizes a statistical comparison to the mean value, appropriate in technical or analytical contexts.

smaller than usual

Generalizes the comparison to size, applicable to objects or quantities beyond just height.

of reduced length

Highlights the length aspect, useful when referring to physical objects or time periods.

under the average

A more concise and informal alternative, suitable for general conversations.

not as tall as most

Rephrases the comparison in terms of height, emphasizing a person's stature relative to others.

relatively short

Uses the adverb 'relatively' to soften the comparison, indicating a less extreme difference.

of diminished stature

Emphasizes physical height or importance, making it more formal.

sub-average in length

A technical term, appropriate in scientific or analytical settings, to indicate something that is below the average in length.

lower than the norm

Compares to a general standard, implying a deviation from what is typical.

FAQs

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

You can use "shorter than average" to describe something that is less in length or height compared to the typical or expected value. For example, "The consultation times were "shorter than average"."

What are some alternatives to saying "shorter than average"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "below average height", "less than the mean height", or "smaller than usual". Each offers a slightly different emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "shorter than average" in formal writing?

Yes, "shorter than average" is appropriate for formal writing. However, in scientific or highly technical contexts, consider using more precise statistical terms like "below the mean".

Which is more accurate, "shorter than average" or "relatively short"?

"Shorter than average" provides a more direct comparison to a general expectation, while "relatively short" indicates a less extreme difference. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.