to keep it short

USAGE SUMMARY

"to keep it short" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to summarize an idea, express yourself concisely, or conclude an explanation. For example, "I could explain the history of this region in great detail, but to keep it short, it has been inhabited by humans for over 10,000 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fill out the description box, keeping in mind to keep it short and concise.

WikiHow

Try to keep it short.

The New York Times - Tech

Are you planning to keep it short?

The New York Times

It's best to keep it short".

The Guardian - Sport

It was a commissioned piece for a literary magazine, so I had to keep it short.

The New Yorker

But to keep it short – the reason: the reason lay in the hatred of one's own country.

The Guardian - Books

THE beauty of Twitter, the popular microblogging service, is that users have to keep it short: messages can only be 140 characters long.

The Economist

After handing the microphone to Neil Bush, chairman of the Points of Light organization, he admonished his son to "keep it short".

The New York Times

First, there's the 2-hour-20-minute running time, which bucks the new Bollywood trend to keep it short and lean.

The New York Times

Once we begin the interview process, I tend to keep it short — and put a lot of value into my gut reaction.

The New York Times

Playlists became narrower, D.J.'s were told to keep it short, and syndicated shows, including Howard Stern, edged out local programs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to keep it short" when transitioning to a summary or key point after providing some context or promising a longer explanation. This prepares your audience for a more concise version of the information.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "to keep it short". This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using other transition phrases or simply getting straight to the point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep it short" functions as an introductory phrase or discourse marker. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signals the intention to provide a concise summary or explanation, often after indicating that a more detailed account could be given. The phrase helps manage expectations and prepares the listener or reader for brevity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to keep it short" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that signals an upcoming concise summary or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. The phrase serves to manage audience expectations and promote efficient communication. When employing this phrase, consider varying your language to avoid redundancy and ensuring that the summary remains clear and informative. For alternative phrasing, explore options like "in short" or "to cut a long story short".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to cut a long story short

Signals the intention to skip details and get to the main point.

in short

Directly indicates a shortened version of a longer explanation.

in brief

Focuses on delivering information concisely.

in a nutshell

Indicates a very condensed summary.

to be concise

Highlights the act of being succinct.

in summary

Suggests a summarization of previously mentioned information.

briefly stated

Implies a short and direct explanation.

to put it briefly

Emphasizes brevity in the current statement.

for the sake of brevity

Justifies being brief because of time or space constraints.

in a word

Indicates a one-word summary.

FAQs

How can I use "to keep it short" in a sentence?

You can use "to keep it short" to signal that you are about to provide a concise summary or explanation. For example, "The process is quite complex, but "to keep it short", we need to gather all the data, analyze it, and present the findings."

What's a more formal alternative to "to keep it short"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "in summary", "in brief", or "to be concise". These options offer a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

Is it always necessary to use "to keep it short" when summarizing?

No, it's not always necessary. While it can be helpful to signal your intention to be brief, you can also simply transition into a summary without explicitly stating that you're doing so. The key is to ensure clarity and conciseness in your summary.

What phrases are similar to "to keep it short"?

Similar phrases include "in a nutshell", "to cut a long story short", and "in short". These phrases all indicate that you are providing a condensed version of something.