Briefly explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Briefly explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to provide a concise description or clarification of a topic or concept. Example: "In your report, please briefly explain the main findings of your research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Briefly explain what hard water is," one test question reads.

Huffington Post

List these and briefly explain why you choose them.

The New York Times

Allow me to briefly explain the tantalising plot.

The Guardian

At the end of your version, briefly explain your choices for changes.

The New York Times

You must provide only three options, and you need to briefly explain each of your choices.

The Guardian - Tech

Please briefly explain who you are dedicating it to, and why, before you recite the poem.

The Guardian - Books

Small text cards question and briefly explain the style, history or significance of each selected item.

The New York Times - Arts

They will briefly explain.

Fashion and Textiles

We will briefly explain some of them.

SEP

We briefly explain both approaches below.

Earth, Planets and Space

Let us briefly explain their idea.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "briefly explain", ensure that the context is well-understood by your audience to avoid oversimplification or ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "briefly explain" when the subject matter requires a thorough and detailed explanation to prevent misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "briefly explain" functions primarily as a request for information. It prompts someone to offer a short and concise explanation, indicating that a detailed or lengthy response is not required. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "briefly explain" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for requesting a concise explanation. Ludwig highlights that it's most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts, with a neutral to formal register. Alternatives include "summarize" and "explain concisely". When using "briefly explain", ensure the context is well-understood to prevent oversimplification, and avoid using it when a detailed explanation is necessary. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, reinforcing its utility in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provide a concise explanation

Synonymous, but it emphasizes the clarity and succinctness of the explanation.

Explain concisely

This reorders the words to emphasize the brevity of the explanation.

Explain in short

A more direct and slightly less formal way to ask for a brief explanation.

Summarize

This is a more concise way of asking for a brief explanation, focusing on the key points.

Detail succinctly

This emphasizes providing details in a brief manner.

Give a brief account

This uses 'account' instead of 'explanation', suggesting a narrative summary.

Recap briefly

Implies summarizing something that has already been discussed.

Outline quickly

Replaces 'explain' with 'outline' and 'briefly' with 'quickly', focusing on speed.

Run through quickly

This suggests a fast, somewhat informal explanation.

Present a summary

This is a more formal way of requesting a condensed explanation.

FAQs

How do I use "briefly explain" in a sentence?

You can use "briefly explain" to ask someone to provide a short and concise explanation of something. For example, "Could you "briefly explain" the main points of the theory?"

What can I say instead of "briefly explain"?

Alternatives to "briefly explain" include "summarize", "explain concisely", or "provide a concise explanation", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it better to say "briefly explain" or "explain briefly"?

Both "briefly explain" and "explain briefly" are grammatically correct, but "briefly explain" is more common and sounds more natural in many contexts. The best choice depends on the specific emphasis you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "briefly explain"?

It's inappropriate to use "briefly explain" when the topic requires a detailed and comprehensive explanation to avoid oversimplification or potential misunderstandings.