shortness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'shortness' is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the state or quality of being short or brief. Example: The shortness of the meeting surprised the attendees, as they were used to long, drawn-out discussions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Carmen, Jeanmaire was fierce, sexual, wilful – hair cropped boyishly close, hips jutting, legs lengthened by the shortness of her tunic – and Petit's choreography was charged with eroticised combat.

The Guardian

Former President George HW Bush was released from a Houston hospital on Tuesday after a stay of about a week for treatment of shortness of breath.

The Guardian

Bush, the oldest living former US president, was taken by ambulance to the hospital a week ago for what was described then as a precaution after experiencing shortness of breath.

The Guardian

Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, shortness of breath and lethargy.

The Economist

In fact, there was some evidence of the shortness of Brazilian political coattails.

The Economist

Yet the shortness of most peasants' contracts—if they are lucky enough to live in places where local officials have got around to handing them out is only one part of the problem.

The Economist

In effect, there is no rescue service in the Arctic.The shortness of the shipping season, the unpredictability of the ice, the high cost of icebreakers and the shortage or absence in some classes of ice-capable vessels will all be a drag on Arctic shipping.

The Economist

So peasants have been grumbling less about restrictions on how they sell their rights, than about the shortness of leases and the "collective" ownership principle covering rural land.

The Economist

It is the first time a state legislature has voted to suspend the death penalty, although the last execution to take place in New Jersey occurred in 1963.Dick Cheney was briefly hospitalised after complaining of a shortness of breath.

The Economist

That is why diesel engines whether in trucks, trains, ships and generators as well as passenger cars—have long used turbochargers to overcome their inherent shortness of breath.

The Economist

The shortness of New Zealand's election cycle--just three years--may also enter the political calculations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical symptoms, be specific about the type of "shortness" experienced (e.g., "shortness of breath on exertion" vs. "sudden shortness of breath at rest") to aid diagnosis.

Common error

Avoid using "shortness" when "lack" or "deficiency" is more appropriate. "Shortness" generally refers to duration or physical dimension, while "lack" refers to the absence of something necessary or desirable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shortness" is as a noun, typically functioning as the subject or object of a sentence. It often describes a quality or state, as seen in Ludwig or Ludwig AI examples like "the shortness of the meeting" or "shortness of breath."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on Ludwig AI, the term "shortness" is commonly used as a noun to describe a state of being brief or limited, whether referring to time, length, or a medical condition like "shortness of breath". While grammatically correct and versatile, it's important to select more precise alternatives like "brevity" or specific deficiency descriptions depending on the context. Ludwig examples showcase its frequent use in news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles, indicating a wide range of applications and according to its analysis the term is well accepted in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brevity

Focuses on the concise quality of something, often referring to communication or writing.

briefness

Emphasizes the limited duration or extent of something.

curtness

Highlights abruptness or terseness, often in manner or speech.

lack

Indicates a deficiency or absence of something needed.

deficiency

Points to an inadequacy or incompleteness in quantity or quality.

inadequacy

Stresses the insufficient nature or quality of something for a particular purpose.

paucity

Emphasizes a scarcity or smallness of quantity.

terseness

Focuses on conciseness and lack of elaboration, often in a critical way.

conciseness

Highlights the quality of being brief and to the point.

compactness

Indicates a quality of being small and efficiently arranged.

FAQs

How can I use "shortness" in a sentence?

"Shortness" can be used to describe the brief duration of an event (e.g., "the shortness of the meeting"), a physical characteristic (e.g., "the shortness of the rope"), or a medical condition (e.g., "shortness of breath").

What's a more formal alternative to the noun "shortness"?

Formal alternatives include "brevity" (for duration) or specifying the deficiency directly, like "lack of" or "deficiency in".

When is it more appropriate to use "brevity" instead of "shortness"?

"Brevity" is better suited when emphasizing conciseness and efficiency in communication, while "shortness" is a more general term for limited duration or length. For example, in a report, you can value its "brevity".

Is "shortness of breath" the only common medical usage of "shortness"?

While "shortness of breath" is the most common medical phrase, "shortness" can be used more generally to describe other medical conditions or symptoms of deficiency in something.