In nutshell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In nutshell" is not correct; the correct expression is "In a nutshell." You can use it to summarize information or present a brief overview of a topic.
Example: "In a nutshell, the project aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

In Nutshell, the foetus, too, touches on gender identity.

The Guardian - Books

In nutshell, modified nonlinear window function can be used for the analog memory applications.

Nano Convergence

In nutshell, the American policy towards Asia has been a tangled mixture between security and economic considerations (Cumings 1984).

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

In nutshell, the adsorption of water significantly lowers the gas response and repeatability of ZnO gas sensors.

Nano-Micro Letters

In nutshell, during the CAP, backoff window size and the number of active nodes are the major factors to have impact on the throughput performance.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In nutshell, My (late) father Mr. SOLOMON TOURE was a very wealthy gold and cocoa merchant who based in Accra Ghana and Abidjan, respectively.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Noir in a nutshell.

The New Yorker

In a nutshell.

The New York Times - Sports

Norquist in a nutshell.

The New York Times

Body shaming in a NUTSHELL.

Independent

Journey, in a nutshell.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct idiom, "in a nutshell", to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "a" before "nutshell". Using "in nutshell" is grammatically incorrect and can confuse your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in nutshell" functions as an incomplete prepositional phrase. The absence of the article 'a' renders it grammatically incorrect. Ludwig's analysis highlights this error. The correct form, "in a nutshell", serves to introduce a concise summary or explanation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in nutshell" is grammatically incorrect. The correct idiomatic expression is "in a nutshell", which is used to provide a concise summary. As Ludwig AI points out, the absence of the article 'a' is the primary error. While examples exist across various domains like science and news, it's crucial to use the correct form to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. Remember to always include the article "a" to avoid confusion and ensure your writing is grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In a nutshell

Adding the article 'a' corrects the grammatical error, making it the standard idiomatic expression.

In brief

This alternative provides a more concise summary, focusing on brevity.

In short

Indicates a condensed version of information.

To summarize

This alternative is a direct and formal way to indicate a summary.

In summary

Similar to 'to summarize', but slightly more formal.

In essence

This phrase highlights the most important aspect or core of a matter.

To put it briefly

Emphasizes the intention of being concise.

To be concise

Focuses on the quality of being brief and to the point.

In a word

Suggests a single-word summary.

In conclusion

Often used to end a discussion or piece of writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the idiom?

The correct form is "in a nutshell", which means to express something in a concise and straightforward manner.

What does "in a nutshell" mean?

The phrase "in a nutshell" is an idiom that means to describe something briefly or concisely. It implies providing the essence of a topic without going into extensive detail.

Can I say "in summary" instead of "in a nutshell"?

Yes, you can use "in summary" or other alternatives like "to sum up", "in brief", or "in essence" to convey a similar meaning of providing a concise overview.

Is "in nutshell" grammatically correct?

No, "in nutshell" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "in a nutshell", which includes the indefinite article "a".