truncated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truncated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been shortened or cut off, often referring to text or data that is incomplete. Example: "The report was truncated due to time constraints, leaving out several important sections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Defender James McPake had the ball in the Celtic net moments later from a Harkins free-kick but the offside flag truncated his celebration, before Stewart's powerful drive was deflected past the post.

The Guardian - Sport

After all he worked away at "Faust", on and off, for around 60 years and the piece is widely held in near-mystical awe, even by the many who have neither read it nor seen it in its habitually truncated, roughly six-hour, form.

The Economist

Mr Olmert and the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, have both said they would have reached a peace deal between them had his term as prime minister not been truncated.

The Economist

His hands now sore, Mr Chabot goes on to attend school fairs at two parishes in this heavily Catholic district.In this section Mission truncated A slight reprieve?

The Economist

Mr Blair's ambitions for a "progressive century", to be secured through voting reform and co-operation with the Liberal Democrats, was superseded by his push for a Blairite millennium, latterly truncated to a decade.

The Economist

Subsequent versions were similarly truncated, at the cost of either music or speech and the loss of the spontaneous continuity between them, as Morton interweaves memories, pronouncements and performance.

The Economist

The range of possible outcomes has been truncated.

The Economist

But for many, including India, the marginal tax rates would have to be well over 100% (the blue dots in the chart show individual countries' marginal tax rates; those which are over 100% are truncated at 100%).

The Economist

So to save space, programmers truncated years to just two digits—"65" rather than "1965".

The Economist

Regulation has not.In this section Mission truncated A slight reprieve?

The Economist

That seems completely unaffordable.In this section Mission truncated A slight reprieve?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truncated" when you want to emphasize that something has been abruptly shortened, often due to external constraints or limitations. For instance, a "truncated" project timeline indicates that the project was cut short due to unforeseen circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "truncated" as a general synonym for "shortened" without considering the context. "Truncated" implies a more abrupt or forceful termination than simply "shortened". For example, saying "a truncated summary" is fine, but using it to describe the length of a movie would be awkward, as there are no abrupt or forceful connotations in the context of movie length.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "truncated" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they have been shortened or cut off. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, confirming its role in describing something that is not complete in its original form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "truncated" functions primarily as an adjective, signifying that something has been shortened or cut off abruptly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While "truncated" is a common term, it's essential to consider its specific connotation of abruptness, differentiating it from general synonyms like "shortened" or "abbreviated". To use it effectively, remember that "truncated" implies a forceful or limited termination, rather than a simple reduction in length. By understanding these nuances, you can ensure accurate and appropriate use of "truncated" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortened

Focuses specifically on the reduction in length.

abbreviated

Highlights a reduction in length, often for convenience.

cut short

Emphasizes an abrupt ending or interruption.

curtailed

Implies a reduction or restriction, often in rights or privileges.

clipped

Suggests a neat or precise cutting, often of physical objects.

pared down

Indicates a reduction to essential elements.

condensed

Emphasizes packing something into a smaller space or time.

compressed

Suggests squeezing something into a smaller space.

lopped

Involves the cutting off of branches or parts of something.

pruned

Suggests careful cutting to improve growth or appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "truncated" in a sentence?

You can use "truncated" to describe something that has been shortened or cut off, often referring to text, data, or time. For example: "The report was truncated due to time constraints", or "The URL was truncated in the email."

What is a good alternative to "truncated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "shortened", "abbreviated", or "cut short". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of being made shorter or incomplete.

Which is correct, "truncated" or "abbreviated"?

"Truncated" and "abbreviated" are both correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Truncated" implies a more abrupt or forceful shortening, whereas "abbreviated" usually refers to shortening for convenience. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "truncated" and "incomplete"?

"Truncated" suggests that something was deliberately cut short, whereas "incomplete" simply means that something is missing parts. A "truncated" file might have been deliberately shortened to save space, while an "incomplete" file might be missing data due to an error.