a brief call

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief call" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a phone call or other type of conversation that is short in duration. For example, "I will be making a brief call before the meeting starts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Instead the prime minister got a brief call from the secretary of state, John Kerry.

The Economist

NO-NOS Cellphone calls (a brief call as you near your destination is tolerated; for anything else, text).

The New York Times - Travel

He makes a brief call on his cellphone, gets his ankles taped and wolfs down a quick breakfast.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Bush also made a brief call to Senator John McCain after Mr. McCain announced today that he was suspending his campaign.

The New York Times

Cashman said it was a brief call and the two discussed Mondesi's comments on Thursday, when he was frustrated at not starting.

The New York Times - Sports

Similarly, one of four teenagers in a boat that sank near City Island in January 2003 managed to make a brief call to 911.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

If you include his 4-for-18 performance in a brief call-up to the majors that season, his average drops to.298.

The New York Times - Sports

His performance earned him a brief call-up to the Charlotte Orioles of the Double-A Southern League; Ripken batted.180 in a month with them, albeit with three home runs.

Wikipedia

The Environmental Protection Agency is aiming to cut methane emissions by up to 45% from 2012 levels by 2025, White House officials told campaigners during a briefing call.

The Guardian

The "devil is in the detail" admitted Rupert Bondy, BP's group general counsel, in a briefing call with City analysts after the outline deal signed before the weekend.

The Guardian - Business

"For a long time, some members have claimed that that prohibits them from conducting any research on the causes of gun violence," a senior administration official said during a briefing call with reporters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brief call", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason and outcome of the call to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify if it was a follow-up or an initial contact.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief call" without providing enough context. If the brevity of the call is relevant, explain why. For example, specify if time was limited or if only a quick update was needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief call" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "call". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an event or action. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief call" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a short phone conversation or communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral tone. To ensure clarity, provide sufficient context regarding the call's purpose and outcome. Alternatives include "a quick call" or "a short phone conversation", depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick phone call

Replaces 'brief' with 'quick', emphasizing speed.

a short phone conversation

Substitutes 'call' with 'phone conversation' for more clarity.

a concise communication

Uses more formal language, replacing 'brief' with 'concise' and 'call' with 'communication'.

a short chat

Replaces 'call' with the more informal 'chat'.

a fleeting conversation

Emphasizes the very short nature of the communication.

a momentary discussion

Highlights the temporary nature of the exchange.

a terse exchange

Indicates a brief and possibly abrupt communication.

a swift communication

Emphasizes the speed of the communication.

a short appeal

Suggests the call was short and for asking for help or something else.

a short consultation

Indicates the call was short and related to consulting or seeking advice.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief call" to describe a short phone conversation, such as: "I had a brief call with the manager to discuss the project status."

What are some alternatives to saying "a brief call"?

Alternatives include "a quick call", "a short phone conversation", or "a concise communication" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "a brief call" or "a short call"?

Both "a brief call" and "a short call" are acceptable. "Brief" emphasizes conciseness and directness, while "short" simply refers to the duration. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a brief call" and "a briefing call"?

"A brief call" refers to any short phone conversation. "A briefing call", on the other hand, is a specific type of call where information is given, typically in a concise format.