What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abbreviated
Example
Please use the abbreviated form of the company name in your report. [abbreviated: adjective]
Example
The article was too long, so I created an abbreviated version for the presentation. [abbreviated: verb]
shortened
Example
The movie was shortened for the airplane version, so some scenes were cut. [shortened: adjective]
Example
I shortened the article by removing unnecessary sections. [shortened: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shortened is more commonly used than abbreviated in everyday language. Shortened is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abbreviated is less common and typically used in academic or professional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abbreviated and shortened?
Abbreviated is more formal and technical than shortened. It is often used in academic or professional writing to save space or time, while shortened can be used in both formal and informal contexts for various purposes.
