Explanation

The question asks for the verb form related to the word "shortly." Understanding the relationship between the given options is crucial. "Shortly" is an adverb derived from the adjective "short," which describes a brief time or duration.

Among the options provided, "A) Short" is an adjective that describes the quality of something being small in length or duration, rather than serving as a verb. "B) Shorter" is the comparative form of "short," again functioning as an adjective that compares two things rather than acting as a verb. "D) Shortness" is a noun that indicates the state or quality of being short but lacks any verbal action.

In contrast, "C) Shorten" is the only verb among the options. It means to make something shorter or to decrease its length or duration. This alignment makes "Shorten" the correct choice as it illustrates an action, which is consistent with the request for a verb form related to "shortly." Thus, "C) Shorten" stands out as the only viable answer, demonstrating the transformation of the adjective "short" into a verbal form.