to condense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to condense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making something denser or more concise, often in the context of summarizing information or reducing its length. Example: "In order to fit the information into the presentation, I need to condense the report to its key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I want to condense and purify.

The New York Times

Her argument is almost impossible to condense.

The New York Times

"My biggest problem was how to condense," Ms. Rosenberg said.

The New York Times

Prokofiev had to condense Tolstoy's immense novel brutally.

The New York Times - Arts

It was almost noon, clouds beginning to condense overhead.

The New Yorker

She hopes to condense this one to 10 uninterrupted hours.

The New York Times

"When you try to condense that to the square footage, that's a challenge".

The New York Times - Arts

The desiccant is then warmed to condense the water it contains.

The New York Times

As the Reich's dominion shrank, its antiaircraft artillery seemed to condense.

The New York Times - Books

Boeing's plan is to condense production time once the flow of parts from suppliers picks up.

The New York Times

As the foregoing illustrated, it's hard to condense Devi's life into a few paragraphs.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to condense" when you need to express the idea of reducing something in size, volume, or length while preserving its essential qualities. For instance, "to condense a report" or "to condense steam".

Common error

While "to condense" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to shorten" or "to summarize" for a more natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to condense" typically functions as a verb, expressing an action of reducing something in size, volume, or length. Ludwig showcases its use in various contexts, such as "to condense a novel" or "to condense water vapor".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to condense" is a versatile term used to describe the action of reducing something in size, volume, or length, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, remember that while its general register is neutral, leaning towards formal, simpler alternatives may be more suitable for casual conversations. Remember "to condense" is about making something smaller while usually preserving its essence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to shorten

Focuses on making something shorter in length or duration.

to abridge

Implies reducing in scope while maintaining the core content.

to summarize

Highlights the act of providing a brief overview.

to compress

Emphasizes squeezing something into a smaller space or time.

to reduce

General term for making something smaller or less.

to distill

Focuses on extracting the essential elements.

to concentrate

Implies increasing the density or strength of something.

to shrink

Suggests a decrease in size, often physically.

to compact

Emphasizes making something more tightly packed.

to decrease in volume

Specifically refers to reducing the amount of space something occupies.

FAQs

How can I use "to condense" in a sentence?

You can use "to condense" to describe reducing the size of something, like "to condense a chapter into a few paragraphs", or changing a substance's state, such as "to condense water vapor into liquid".

What are some alternatives to "to condense"?

Alternatives include "to shorten", "to summarize", "to abridge", or "to compress", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "to condense" or "to summarize"?

The choice depends on the context. "To condense" implies reducing in size or volume, while "to summarize" means to give a brief account of something. If you're just providing the highlights, summarize. If you're making something smaller, condense.

What's the difference between "to condense" and "to concentrate"?

"To condense" often refers to reducing size or changing state, whereas "to concentrate" implies increasing the density or strength of a substance or effort. For example, you might condense steam, but concentrate your efforts on a task.