to be short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be short" is correct and can be used in written English.
In this context, it means to be concise and brief. For example, "To be short, this new policy will bring our business many advantages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

And it's going to be short.

The New Yorker

Unlikely to be short.

The Guardian - Film

Why would Paulson want to be short?

Stanford University

Videos need to be short and sweet.

The Guardian

Her poems tend to be short.

The Guardian - Books

I'm going to be short, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The reunion proved to be short-lived.

The New York Times - Sports

The revival was to be short-lived.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that proved to be short-lived.

The New York Times

But is it to be short-lived?

The Guardian

But these effects are likely to be short-lived.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be short" in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being shortened, be it a message, a duration, or a physical object. For instance, "To be short, the meeting is canceled".

Common error

Avoid using "to be short" when you actually mean something is lacking or deficient. For example, don't say "He seems to be short of ideas" when you should say "He seems to lack ideas".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be short" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to introduce a concise summary or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, and examples illustrate its role in signaling brevity or a lack of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

27%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be short" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase that signals brevity or conciseness. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the examples from various sources demonstrate its usage in signaling a summary, indicating a deficiency, or describing the physical attribute of being not tall. While it appears across various registers, it maintains a generally neutral tone. Remember to use it when you intend to provide a brief overview or explanation, but avoid confusing it with expressing a lack of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be brief

Focuses specifically on the act of being concise in communication.

to be concise

Highlights the quality of expressing much in few words.

to be succinct

Emphasizes expressing something clearly and briefly.

to be abbreviated

Suggests shortening something, often a text or a name.

to be condensed

Implies reducing the volume or size, making it more compact.

to be curtailed

Suggests limiting or cutting something short.

to be limited

Indicates a restriction in size or duration.

to be trimmed

Implies removing unnecessary parts to make something shorter.

to be abridged

Refers to shortening a written work while retaining its main points.

to be summary

Implies the need of recap or a briefing.

FAQs

How can I use "to be short" in a sentence?

You can use "to be short" to indicate brevity or conciseness. For example, "To be short, the project was a success". It can also mean a physical lack of height.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to be short"?

Alternatives include "to be brief", "to be concise", or "to be succinct", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "to be short" in formal writing?

Yes, "to be short" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing, especially when you need to express conciseness or a lack of something.

What is the difference between "to be short" and "to be short-lived"?

"To be short" refers to being brief or concise in general, while "to be short-lived" indicates that something lasts only for a brief duration, like "ephemeral" joy.