try to keep it short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to keep it short" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to be concise or brief. For example, you could say, "For this presentation, try to keep it short; our audience only has 15 minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Try to keep it short.

The New York Times - Tech

It's been a really long two weeks for me, there are so many things I'd like to say, but I'll try to keep it short.

The Guardian - Sport

Again try to keep it short and sweet.

Huffington Post

I always "try" to keep it short but that never really works out for me.

Huffington Post

I could go on about the hypocrisy of Western liberals on Islam forever, so I'll try to keep it short and sum it up here.

HuffPost

When naming your website, try to keep it short and sweet.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Yet for all the drama in this text-heavy piece (the presentation style is a bit like the Public Radio International program "Selected Shorts"), Mr. Clifton also tries to keep it light with comic touches.

The New York Times

Instead, try to keep it as short and simple as you can -- asking for your customer's name, email address and possible offer the option to select how frequently they'd like to receive updates from your company.

Huffington Post

Try to keep it reasonably short.

WikiHow

Try to keep it quick, short, and simple.

WikiHow

In short, we are trying to keep it simple – and so we have no intention of getting involved with system-specific performance optimizations.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to keep it short" in email communications to encourage concise and efficient exchanges, saving time for both the sender and recipient.

Common error

Avoid undermining the instruction to "try to keep it short" by immediately following it with a lengthy explanation or justification. This can negate the initial intention and confuse the recipient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to keep it short" functions as an imperative, urging someone to be concise. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts, reflecting its practicality in everyday communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to keep it short" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that encourages brevity and efficiency in communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news articles to how-to guides. Related phrases like "aim to be brief" or "make it brief" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in tone. When using "try to keep it short", remember to avoid undermining the instruction with lengthy explanations and consider the audience and context to determine the most appropriate level of directness. It is widely used in news, wiki, formal and business communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it brief

Similar to "keep it short" but with a slightly different emphasis.

keep it concise

Direct instruction to be concise.

aim to be brief

Emphasizes intention to be concise.

strive for brevity

Highlights the effort to be concise.

be succinct

Focuses on expressing something clearly in few words.

get to the point quickly

Focuses on efficiency and directness.

be economical with words

Highlights the efficient use of language.

cut to the chase

More informal, suggesting avoidance of unnecessary details.

keep it pithy

Focuses on being concise and forcefully expressive.

try to be terse

Focuses on being brief and abrupt, potentially lacking politeness.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to keep it short" to ask someone to be concise. For example, "When you present your findings, "try to keep it short" to fit within the time limit."

What does "try to keep it short" mean?

"Try to keep it short" means to attempt to be brief or concise, avoiding unnecessary details or length in communication.

What can I say instead of "try to keep it short"?

You can use alternatives like "aim to be brief", "keep it concise", or "make it brief" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "try to keep it short" or "be brief"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""try to keep it short"" is often perceived as slightly more polite, while "be brief" is more direct. The best choice depends on the specific situation and your relationship with the listener.