In general, I like the low word count Sunday grids when that allows the constructor to work in more stellar long fill. So when the grid challenge gets tougher, these guys can help out a lot. Another part is that they exhibit a useful vowel-consonant alternation, often useful in grid filling. Why is this? Part of it is because prepositions like ON, IN, AT contain common letters. While these are fine entries, they're only neutral to me, taking up valuable real estate. One that I'm not fond of is a glut of phrases containing prepositions - STEPS UP, THIN OUT, TRUSS UP, TUNING UP, SNEAK OUT, ICE IN, SIDE ON, etc. Now that we've seen quite a few of these lower word count Sundays, I'm starting to see some patterns. Today's grid is a continuation of Will's experiment, asking constructors to try using lower word counts. ALL IS LOST and HARRUMPHS are entertaining as well. I often like what Tom does with his long fill, and entries like IM OUTTA HERE and HANG IN THERE (symmetrically placed!) are much appreciated.
Is CENT a common abbreviation for century? SING for singular? Not sure, but these two remind me of how many times I've struggled, trying to figure out if something like ISS for issue is passable. There's also an insider's nod here, as constructors often depend on quirky abbreviations to get them out of jams. Apt title, THE SHORT FORM hinting at themers using abbreviations as regular words.
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