I briefed him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I briefed him" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means that you gave someone information verbally, concisely, and quickly, usually on a particular topic. For example, you could say, "I briefed him on the guidelines for the upcoming event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We had a quick chat, I briefed him on our new product and handed the product over".

The New York Times

I briefed him on the route and Pinky put his foot down, then started phoning his friends to ask, in Hindi, if anyone knew where it was.

The Guardian - Travel

"The president expressed his view regarding the current situation, and I briefed him on the meetings I had in several capitals with officials from different countries inside and outside the region," Mr. Brahimi told reporters, according to an account posted on the United Nations' Web site.

The New York Times

I briefed him before all interviews, helped the ANC leadership deliberate on message points and responses to attacks even then.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To prepare Katzenberg for our visit to Chelsea, I had briefed him on everything I could find out about her.

Huffington Post

I had briefed him to play something disturbing.

The Guardian

"Billy voted for this deal in the beginning, I continually briefed him, and only after the term-limits law does he now decide to criticize the deal.

The New York Times

"I have briefed him on prices and suggested rates," Louise tells me later, but she admits that it is impossible to keep track of everyone and the prices on the site can only ever be a guideline.

The Guardian - Travel

"Six weeks ago, after I had briefed him and some of his associates on the problem, Turner, with his characteristic combination of vision and energy, and a profound understanding of the leveraging effects of a dramatic bequest, said if the $34 million difference that this amounts to is the make or break, I will contribute that money on a one-time-only basis".

The New York Times

I had briefed him about my O'Hara history, revealing that even after being with her on five different occasions, I still felt star struck.

Huffington Post

"During the dinner, the President returned to the salacious material I had briefed him about on January 6, and, as he had done previously, expressed his disgust for the allegations and strongly denied them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I briefed him", ensure the context clearly indicates the topic you provided information on. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I briefed him" when you provided extensive, in-depth training or education. "Briefed" suggests a concise overview, not a comprehensive lesson.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I briefed him" functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker provided a concise summary or set of instructions to another person. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I briefed him" is grammatically correct and signifies that the speaker concisely informed someone about a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts and has a neutral register, making it appropriate for both professional and casual communication. When using this phrase, ensure the topic of the briefing is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "I informed him" or "I updated him" can be used based on the nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I informed him

Focuses on conveying information, broader than a concise briefing.

I updated him

Highlights providing the latest information or developments.

I filled him in

Informal way of saying you gave someone all the details.

I gave him the details

Emphasizes the act of providing specific information.

I explained it to him

Focuses on clarifying something for the other person.

I told him about it

A simple and general way of saying you communicated information.

I advised him

Suggests offering guidance or recommendations, beyond just information.

I instructed him

Implies giving specific directions or orders.

I schooled him

Suggests a thorough explanation or correction, often in an informal context.

I clued him in

An informal way of saying you gave someone secret or important information.

FAQs

What does "I briefed him" mean?

It means you gave someone information verbally, concisely, and quickly, usually on a particular topic.

What can I say instead of "I briefed him"?

You can use alternatives like "I informed him", "I updated him", or "I filled him in" depending on the context.

Is "I briefed him" formal or informal?

It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's generally more common in professional or neutral settings.

How to use "I briefed him" in a sentence?

Example: "Before the meeting, "I briefed him" on the latest sales figures."