A small length or height can be described with short.

The idea

Put short before a noun or after be. It can describe length or height.

Examples

  • The rope is short.
  • We took a short path.
  • This pencil is too short.
  • My brother is short.
  • The short tree has red leaves.
  • Her hair is short.

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Watch out

Do not use shorts as the adjective: it means an item of clothing.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the word that fits. The string is not long. It is ___. (short / tall)

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    short

    short describes the string’s length.

  2. Choose the word that fits. The child is not tall. The child is ___. (short / long)

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    short

    short describes the child’s height.

  3. Choose the word that fits. They have a ___ bridge. (short / shorts)

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    short

    short describes the bridge; shorts is a noun.

Use it today

Describe a short object and a short person.