a brief

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to something, usually written, that is short and concise. For example: "I read a brief about the company's financial forecasts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(A brief staring contest).

The New Yorker

So, a brief lesson.

The New York Times

Here's a brief sampling.

The New York Times

A brief summary?

The New Yorker

A BRIEF service announcement.

The Economist

A brief encounter.

Independent

It was a brief stay.

The New York Times - Sports

A brief history of Borneo?

Independent

A Brief History of Nakedness.

The Economist

It was a brief escape.

The New Yorker

Here's a brief musical interlude.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brief" to introduce information, ensure the subsequent content is genuinely concise. Readers appreciate brevity, but not at the expense of clarity or essential details.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief" as a mere introductory phrase if the following text or discussion is lengthy or deviates significantly from the core topic. This can mislead the reader and diminish the impact of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief" primarily functions as a determiner followed by an adjective that modifies a noun. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is often used to introduce a short summary, explanation, or overview.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a brief" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a short and concise piece of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, primarily in News & Media, science, and wiki sources. The phrase signals to the reader that the information presented will be to the point, making it a valuable tool for effective communication. However, it's important to ensure that the subsequent content genuinely reflects brevity to avoid misleading the audience. Alternatives such as ""a short"", ""a concise"", and ""a succinct"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short

Emphasizes the limited duration or length, similar to "a brief" but more general.

a concise

Focuses on expressing much in few words, highlighting efficiency and clarity.

a succinct

Stresses the clear and precise nature of something, avoiding unnecessary details.

a quick

Highlights the speed or rapidity with which something occurs or is done.

a fleeting

Suggests something that passes quickly and is not long-lasting, emphasizing its transience.

a momentary

Indicates something lasting for only a moment, highlighting its very short duration.

a snapshot

Implies a quick overview or glimpse, capturing the essence in a simplified manner.

an outline

Refers to a summary of the key points or structure of something, providing a concise overview.

a summary

Offers a condensed version of something, presenting the main ideas or events in a shorter form.

an abstract

Describes a short summary of a research article or other academic text, typically found at the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief" to introduce a short explanation, summary, or description. For example, "Here's "a brief overview" of the project" or "I'll give "a brief summary" of the meeting."

What are some synonyms for "a brief"?

Some synonyms for "a brief" include "a short", "a concise", "a succinct", or "a quick".

When is it appropriate to use "a brief"?

It's appropriate to use "a brief" when you want to indicate that what follows will be concise and to the point. It's commonly used in contexts where time or space is limited.

What's the difference between "a brief summary" and "a detailed summary"?

"A brief summary" implies a short overview, while "a detailed summary" suggests a more comprehensive and thorough account. Choose the phrase that best reflects the length and depth of the summary you are providing.