Briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb meaning "in a few words" and is often used to refer to a concise summation or overview of a topic. For example, "Let me briefly explain how the process works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He thanked the X Factor host, Dermot O'Leary, and Caroline Flack, the presenter of its ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor, before appearing briefly to forget the name of the show's new co-host, Matt Richardson.

The Guardian

Their return to the elite in 2013 was played out under another three managers and via a play-off success over Brighton & Hove Albion that was briefly overshadowed by "Poogate".

The Guardian - Sport

The game was twice suspended, briefly in the first half after a large inflatable banana was thrown on to the pitch and for around 15 minutes after the interval because of objects hurled from the stands.

The Guardian - Sport

At 1.26pm, by which time the crowds had been waiting for about two hours, the 53-year-old Oscar winner and the 36-year-old barrister emerged from their taxi and, after briefly waving, went inside the city hall.

The Guardian - Film

At the height of Cleggmania in April 2010 the party reached the giddy heights of 33% in a YouGov poll, and briefly took first place ahead of both the Tories and Labour.

The Guardian

The Essendon star appeared dazed by the clash and was briefly off the field.

The Guardian - Sport

Campbell briefly succeeded Kennedy before Clegg assumed the leadership in 2007.

The Guardian

I want to be cheerful about Bradford, but the truth is that it looked a sadder place than when I stayed there briefly 30 years ago (and it was troubled enough then).

The Guardian - Opinion

Grade also attempted to revitalise ITV's content division with a big-name hiring, Dawn Airey, who stayed only briefly, opting to take the role of chief executive and chairman at Channel 5. ITV declined to comment.

The Guardian

The debate between the two raged briefly, but six months on there is no doubt which side are in the ascendant.

The Guardian - Sport

Richard Grenell, a longtime US spokesman at the United Nations who was briefly a national security spokesman for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, said Clinton was, ironically, in a singularly vulnerable spot on foreign policy among the potential candidates.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "briefly" to introduce a summary or overview, setting the expectation for a concise explanation. For instance, "Briefly, the study examines the impact of social media on political campaigns".

Common error

Avoid using "briefly" when the context already implies brevity. Saying "Let me briefly summarize" is redundant. Simply say "Let me summarize".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "briefly" is as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action or state is of short duration or is expressed concisely. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly modifies the verb in the sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "briefly" is a versatile adverb used to indicate conciseness and brevity in communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "briefly", ensure that it adds value by signaling the intention to be succinct and avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as "in short" or "to be concise" can be used for variety, but "briefly" remains a reliable choice for efficient and clear expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In short

Focuses on summarizing a point quickly.

In a nutshell

Emphasizes encapsulating information into a compact form.

To be concise

Highlights the intent to communicate directly and efficiently.

Succinctly

Stresses expressing something in few words.

Summarily

Indicates dealing with something quickly and without detail.

In essence

Focuses on the fundamental nature or core meaning.

For a moment

Emphasizes something happening for a short period.

For a little while

Highlights the short duration of an action.

Momentarily

Indicates something lasting for a very short time.

Transiently

Focuses on the temporary nature of an event or state.

FAQs

How to use "briefly" in a sentence?

"Briefly" is used as an adverb to indicate that something will be said or done in a concise or short manner. For example, "I will "briefly" outline the main points of the presentation".

What can I say instead of "briefly"?

You can use alternatives like "in short", "to be concise", or "in a nutshell" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "briefly explain" or "explain briefly"?

Both "briefly explain" and "explain briefly" are grammatically correct, but "explain briefly" is more common and natural-sounding in many contexts. The choice often depends on personal preference and the rhythm of the sentence.

What's the difference between "briefly" and "shortly"?

"Briefly" refers to doing something in a concise manner, while "shortly" refers to something happening soon or in a short period of time. For example, "I will speak "briefly" about the topic" (concise) versus "I will arrive "shortly"" (soon).