1.shorten的基本意思是“(使)变短”,指缩减其长度或持续时间,有时不是实际地缩短,而只是表面感觉上的缩短。
2.shorten可用作及物动词,也可用作不及物动词。用作及物动词时接名词或代词作宾语。

shorten to(v.+prep.)
(使)压缩到… (cause sth to) become shorter to
▲shorten sth to sth
Shorten the report to 2000 words.把这份报告压缩到2000字。

用作不及物动词
▲S+～(+A)
The days shorten in winter.冬天昼短。
The days are rapidly shortening.白昼正在很快变短。
The coat shortened after washing.这件上衣水洗后变短了。
用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
Can you shorten this dress for me?你能为我把这条连衣裙改短吗?
The new highway shortens the trip.新公路缩短旅程。
They shortened the journey by telling stories.他们讲故事来消磨旅途时间。
The letter is too long.Can you shorten it a little?这信太长了,你是不是把它改短一点?
The bill is intended to shorten the arm of the Opposition.这项法案的目的在于限制反对党的力量。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
It is suggested that the steel pipe should be shortened.有人提议把这根钢管切短。
His life was shortened by trouble.他的寿命因烦劳而缩短了。
Their pleasures were shortened by the bad weather.他们因天气不好而兴致不高了。

shorten, abbreviate, abridge, condense, contract
参见contract条。