Why do People sometimes reply with short answers?

A person can reply with a short answer if they don't have enough time to type long phrases or words.

If a person isn't interested in someone then they might reply with short answers. 

A person can reply with a short answer to push someone away. This usually happens when someone nags or sends too many messages. 

Sometimes a person might use a short answer because they want to end a conversation with someone.

A person who is interested in someone might reply with short answers in order to show that they are not interested. This happens if the person has a certain strategy in mind. (See Why some people are not interested in others?)

A person can reply with short answers if they don't know what to say. People who run out of words might reply with a short answer.

When a person is in a bad mood he might not find enough energy to type or chat. In such a case that person might reply with short answers. (See Why Am I in Such a Bad Mood?)

A person can reply with a short answer if the topic being discussed didn't seem that interesting.

A person can reply with short answers to show that he is angry. If someone is angry at another then the earlier might send short answers to the later to express his discontent.