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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
To make it short
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"To make it short" is a correct and usable phrase in written English
It is often used to mean that something is being summarized or condensed. For example: "Since the novel is over 300 pages long, I'll just give you the gist of it, to make it short."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
18 human-written examples
"To make it short, I gave this one guy a needle decompression just for the hell of it," he said.
News & Media
And of course, like the old saying goes, this letter will be long because I did not have time to make it short.
News & Media
"I always tried to make it short, make it sweet and make it rhyme," Mr. Cochran explained, discussing his approach to songwriting in an interview with Nashville's City Paper in 2007.
News & Media
But the connection between clear thinking and succinct writing was expressed as early as 1657 by Blaise Pascal: "I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it short".
News & Media
AG: I'll try to make it short.
News & Media
Sometimes you'll have ample time; others, you'll need to make it short.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
41 human-written examples
One solution was to make it shorter.
News & Media
He knows we need to make it shorter to not be as intimidating.
News & Media
It'd never be short enough for me, have to make it shorter.
News & Media
You've got to figure out how to make it shorter".
News & Media
And for this final one, I'm going to try to make it shorter.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
When using "to make it short", ensure that the context is clear and that you actually deliver a concise version of the information. Avoid using the phrase if the following explanation is still lengthy.
⚠ Common error
Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "to make it short" as it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Vary your introductory phrases to maintain reader engagement.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "to make it short" functions as an introductory phrase, signaling the intention to provide a concise version of a longer explanation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and common usage, as shown in numerous examples.
Expression frequency: Uncommon
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Wiki
35%
Formal & Business
10%
⚠ Less common in
Science
5%
Academia
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "to make it short" is a grammatically sound and useful introductory phrase used to indicate that a concise summary will follow. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Wiki entries. When employing the phrase, ensure you deliver a genuine condensation. Consider alternatives like "in brief" or "in a nutshell" to avoid overuse. Be mindful to not let the summary defeat the purpose by remaining lengthy.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
In brief
A concise way to indicate a summary is coming.
In a nutshell
Implies a very condensed explanation.
To put it briefly
Highlights the intention to be concise.
In short
A direct and common way to indicate a summary.
Briefly stated
More formal way to indicate brevity.
To be concise
Emphasizes the speaker's intention to be succinct.
More alternative expressions(6)
FAQs
How can I use "to make it short" in a sentence?
You can use "to make it short" to introduce a brief summary of a longer explanation. For example, "To make it short, the company decided to postpone the project due to budget constraints."
What are some alternatives to "to make it short"?
Some alternatives include "in brief", "in a nutshell", or "to put it briefly", depending on the level of formality you desire.
Is it correct to say "to make it shortly" instead of "to make it short"?
No, "to make it shortly" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "to make it short", where "short" is an adjective describing the brevity of the summary.
What's the difference between "to make it short" and "long story short"?
"To make it short" is generally used before providing a summary, whereas "long story short" is used after a potentially lengthy explanation to quickly arrive at the conclusion.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested