What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
curtail
Example
The company had to curtail its expenses due to the economic downturn. [curtail: verb]
Example
The teacher had to curtail the lesson due to time constraints. [curtail: verb]
abbreviate
Example
Please abbreviate the word 'department' as 'dept.' [abbreviate: verb]
Example
NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. [abbreviated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abbreviate is more commonly used than curtail in everyday language. Abbreviate is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while curtail is less common and often used in specific fields such as finance or politics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between curtail and abbreviate?
Abbreviate is generally considered more formal than curtail. It is often used in academic or professional writing, while curtail can be used in both formal and informal contexts.