What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shortened
Example
I shortened the sleeves of my shirt to make it fit better. [shortened: verb]
Example
The teacher asked us to write a shortened version of our essay. [shortened: adjective]
reduced
Example
The store reduced the price of the shirt by 50%. [reduced: verb]
Example
I prefer reduced-fat milk over whole milk. [reduced: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reduced is more commonly used than shortened in everyday language. Reduced is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shortened is less common and refers to a specific type of reduction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shortened and reduced?
Both shortened and reduced are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
