What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
truncation
Example
The truncation of the word 'television' results in 'televis'. [truncation: noun]
Example
In linguistics, truncation is used to create new words, such as 'blog' from 'weblog'. [truncation: noun]
Example
The truncation of 3.14159 to 3.14 is an example of numerical truncation. [truncation: noun]
shortening
Example
The shortening of the movie's runtime made it more enjoyable. [shortening: noun]
Example
In linguistics, shortening is used to create new words, such as 'prof' from 'professor'. [shortening: noun]
Example
The shortening of 'doctor' to 'Dr.' is a common abbreviation. [shortening: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shortening is more commonly used than truncation in everyday language. Shortening is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while truncation is less common and typically used in technical or scientific fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between truncation and shortening?
Truncation is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, while shortening is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
