Keep it brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Keep it brief" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to request someone to provide information or communicate in a concise manner. Example: "During the meeting, please keep it brief so we can cover all the topics on the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Keep it brief Don't panic!

Independent

Keep it brief and relevant.

The Guardian

Keep it brief and family-friendly, and go easy on the caps-lock key.

The New York Times

Keep it brief, and don't even think of patronising the audience.

The Guardian

Keep it brief, but include all the facts that you would want to know as a buyer.

The New York Times

Keep it brief: a one-page CV of relevant detail shows you can prioritise and organise information.

The Guardian

Keep it brief and informative, and, where necessary, SPELL IT OUT IN BOLD TYPEFACE.

Science Magazine

Keep it brief.

Huffington Post

Keep it brief, keep it fun.

Huffington Post

Keep it brief and factual.

WikiHow

Keep it brief, but substantial and valuable.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In written communication, use "keep it brief" as a polite request for the recipient to provide concise answers or summaries.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary justification after saying "keep it brief". Over-explaining the request undermines its directness and can appear condescending. For example, instead of "Keep it brief, because we don't have much time", simply state "Keep it brief."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Keep it brief" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to be concise in their communication. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

34%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Keep it brief" is a grammatically correct and very common imperative phrase used to instruct or request conciseness in communication. Ludwig AI indicates its widespread use in news, wikis, and scientific contexts. While direct, its neutrality makes it suitable for various settings. To enhance clarity, alternative phrases like ""be concise"" or "get to the point" may be used depending on the context and relationship with the recipient. Avoid over-explaining the need for brevity to maintain a respectful and efficient exchange.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be concise

This alternative directly advises someone to express themselves in a brief and clear manner.

Make it short

This option is a more casual and direct way of asking for brevity.

Get to the point

This phrase emphasizes the importance of avoiding unnecessary details and focusing on the core message.

Keep it short and sweet

Adding "sweet" implies not only brevity but also making the communication pleasant and engaging.

Be succinct

Suggests expressing something clearly and briefly, using few words.

Cut to the chase

This idiom means to skip introductory or unnecessary details and get straight to the main issue.

Keep it pithy

Implies brevity combined with substance and meaningfulness.

Summarize it

Directly requests a summary, implying a shorter version of something.

Condense your thoughts

This suggests reducing the amount of detail and making the message more compact.

Streamline your message

Focuses on making the message more efficient and removing any unnecessary elements.

FAQs

How can I use "Keep it brief" in a sentence?

"Keep it brief" is typically used as a polite request or instruction for someone to be concise when speaking or writing. For example, "During your presentation, "keep it brief" so we have time for questions."

What's a more formal alternative to "Keep it brief"?

While "Keep it brief" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include "Be concise", "Please summarize", or "Ensure brevity".

Is it rude to say "Keep it brief"?

Not necessarily, but context matters. Saying "Keep it brief" can be perceived as direct but is generally acceptable in professional settings or when time is limited. Tone and relationship with the person are important factors. A softer approach might be, "Could you "be concise"?"

What does "Keep it brief" mean?

"Keep it brief" means to express something using as few words as possible. It's a request for conciseness and avoiding unnecessary details. Synonyms include "be succinct", "get to the point", and "make it short".