How Do You Spell SHORTEN?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈɔːtən] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "shorten" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. In this word, the "sh" sound is represented by the phoneme /ʃ/. The "or" sound is represented by the phoneme /ɔː/, while the "t" sound is represented by the phoneme /t/. Finally, the "en" sound is represented by the phoneme /ən/. Putting all these phonemes together, we get the spelling "shorten." This word means to make something shorter in length, duration, or size.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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SHORTEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Shorten is a transitive verb that signifies the act of making something shorter in length, duration, or size. It refers to the process of reducing the measure or extent of an object, event, or period of time.

    In terms of physical objects, to shorten means to decrease its overall length or height, typically by cutting, trimming, or removing a section from it. This action is commonly employed to alter the size or dimensions of an item to fit particular requirements or preferences.

    In relation to time, shorten pertains to reducing the length or duration of an event or time frame. It involves making something more concise or brief by either accelerating the pace or removing unnecessary elements. This term commonly applies to activities such as meetings, presentations, or speeches, where efforts are made to condense the content or limit the allotted time in order to ensure efficiency.

    Furthermore, shorten can also refer to the process of diminishing the length or duration of a task, sentence, or document by omitting or curtailing certain details or information. This act involves minimizing the extent or scope of something, typically for the purpose of clarity or brevity.

    Overall, the verb shorten embodies the concept of reducing the size, duration, or scope of something, whether it be a physical object, an event, or a piece of information.

  2. To make short; to lessen; to abridge; to contract; to become short.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SHORTEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SHORTEN

Etymology of SHORTEN

The word "shorten" comes from the Old English word "sceortian", which means "to make short". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "skurtōną", which has the same meaning. The Old English word "sceortian" itself is related to the Old Norse word "skorða", meaning "to shorten", and the Middle High German word "schurzen", meaning "to shorten" or "to trim". Ultimately, all these words have their roots in the Proto-Indo-European root "*skerd-", which means "to cut" or "to separate".

Similar spelling words for SHORTEN

Conjugate verb Shorten

CONDITIONAL

I would shorten
you would shorten
he/she/it would shorten
we would shorten
they would shorten

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be shortening
you would be shortening
he/she/it would be shortening
we would be shortening
they would be shortening

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have shorten
you would have shorten
he/she/it would have shorten
we would have shorten
they would have shorten

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been shortening
you would have been shortening
he/she/it would have been shortening
we would have been shortening
they would have been shortening

FUTURE

I will shorten
you will shorten
he/she/it will shorten
we will shorten
they will shorten

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be shortening
you will be shortening
he/she/it will be shortening
we will be shortening
they will be shortening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have shortened
you will have shortened
he/she/it will have shortened
we will have shortened
they will have shortened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been shortening
you will have been shortening
he/she/it will have been shortening
we will have been shortening
they will have been shortening

IMPERATIVE

you shorten
we let´s shorten

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to shorten

PAST

I shortened
you shortened
he/she/it shortened
we shortened
they shortened

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was shortening
you were shortening
he/she/it was shortening
we were shortening
they were shortening

PAST PARTICIPLE

shortened

PAST PERFECT

I had shortened
you had shortened
he/she/it had shortened
we had shortened
they had shortened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been shortening
you had been shortening
he/she/it had been shortening
we had been shortening
they had been shortening

PRESENT

I shorten
you shorten
he/she/it shortens
we shorten
they shorten

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am shortening
you are shortening
he/she/it is shortening
we are shortening
they are shortening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

shortening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have shortened
you have shortened
he/she/it has shortened
we have shortened
they have shortened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been shortening
you have been shortening
he/she/it has been shortening
we have been shortening
they have been shortening
I would have shortened
we would have shortened
you would have shortened
he/she/it would have shortened
they would have shortened

Infographic

Correct spelling for shorten
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