To put it briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To put it briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to summarize or condense information into a more concise form. Example: "To put it briefly, the project was a success due to effective teamwork and communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

To put it briefly: as with oats, so with tanks.

The New York Times - Magazine

To put it briefly, though I lack corporeal existence, you would be exceedingly foolish not to heed what I say.

The New York Times

To put it briefly, and somewhat too simply, a certain hope died, a certain respect for white Americans faded.

The New Yorker

To put it briefly, making beer requires breaking down grain starches into sugars, flavoring the resulting sweet liquid with hop flowers, then fermenting it with yeast.

The New York Times

To put it briefly, I am beginning to understand something about America, but I have not got the time even to think never mind writing.

The New Yorker

To put it briefly, the solution is to establish a Palestinian state in pre-1967 bordexchangehange some territory to keep major blocs of settlements within Israel; divide Jerusalem; and allow for a very limited return of Palestinian refugees to Israel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Or, to put it more briefly, out of four factual assertions in the UKIP press release, four are incorrect.

The Economist

"What we are going to do," wrote Ross, "about the art column (to put it bluntly and briefly) is let Lewis Mumford do occasional [essays] on art, along with his architectural pieces.

The New Yorker

Putting it briefly: Turkey would not jeopardise the Nato umbrella by going nuclear unilaterally.

The Guardian

Once the frittata is golden underneath – mostly set but with a wobbly top, which takes about 10 minutes – you can either serve as is, or, if you want it crisper, either finish the frittata in the oven, or invert twice on to a plate and put it back briefly in the pan to cook the other side.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hussain Fathil, 35, trying to guide his 1991 Opel through the logjam, put it more briefly: "It pulls your heart apart".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To put it briefly" to signal that you are about to condense a longer explanation or argument, helping readers quickly grasp the main point.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "To put it briefly", as this can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or omitting the phrase when the brevity is already clear.

Linguistic Context

To put it briefly functions as an introductory phrase, specifically a discourse marker. It signals to the reader that a concise summary or explanation is about to follow. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across varied contexts to streamline communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To put it briefly" is a versatile introductory phrase used to signal an upcoming condensed explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse sources, including News & Media and Science. While effective for clarity, it's essential to avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. Related phrases such as "in short" and "simply put" offer alternative ways to achieve the same communicative goal. Remember, the key is to enhance understanding without sacrificing clarity or engaging in repetitive phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In a nutshell

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate a brief summary.

In short

Provides a direct and succinct way to indicate a condensed version.

To be concise

Emphasizes the intention of being brief and to the point.

In summary

Highlights the act of summarizing the key points.

In essence

Focuses on conveying the core meaning or fundamental nature.

To cut a long story short

Indicates the shortening of a longer narrative.

Simply put

Highlights the act of simplifying a complex idea.

Briefly stated

Emphasizes the brevity of the statement.

In a word

Indicates a summary in a single word or very few words.

The bottom line is

Focuses on the essential outcome or most important factor.

FAQs

How can I use "To put it briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "To put it briefly" at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a concise summary of a more complex idea. For example: "To put it briefly, the company's success is due to its innovative marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "To put it briefly"?

Some alternatives to "To put it briefly" include "in short", "in essence", or "simply put". These phrases all serve the same purpose of introducing a summary or simplification.

Is it appropriate to use "To put it briefly" in formal writing?

Yes, "To put it briefly" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to condense information for clarity. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall tone.

What's the difference between "To put it briefly" and "In conclusion"?

"To put it briefly" is used to introduce a summary within a larger discussion, while "in conclusion" is typically used to signal the end of an argument or piece of writing. "To put it briefly" offers a condensed version of a point, whereas "in conclusion" summarizes the entire discussion.