a brief case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a type of case that is designed to hold documents or other items, typically used by professionals. Example: "He carried a brief case filled with important legal documents to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Upper West Side (72d St. and Broadway) offered 2 women carrying part of a piano and a man with a brief case full of groceries.

The New Yorker

Mr. Corzine, who was plagued in earlier debates by momentary verbal meltdowns, seemed to suffer a brief case of dry mouth, but never lost his composure.

The New York Times

And that – along with a brief case history about a mother who had been easily and quickly treated, simply by being taught to label the feelings as "obsessive phenomena", "stupid, irrational ideas" and to laugh at them – was that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He dismisses Mr Spitzer with a broad stroke of his brush and makes a brief case in defence of Franklin Raines, the ousted boss of Fannie Mae, a mortgage company.

The Economist

Previously, under a 1986 law, 50 grams of crack (the weight of a candy bar) led to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years — the same sentence that applied to 5,000 grams of powdered cocaine (enough to fill a brief case).

The New York Times

This is demonstrated in a brief case study.

Acta Materialia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The shifting location of one institution within a knowledge-space that is itself dynamic is examined through a brief case-study of one of the constituent museums which, in 1985, became a part of the then newly established National Museums of Scotland.

Museum Management and Curatorship

What is largely unknown, however, is what effect including such ontogenetic species into phylogenetic analyses would have, and so the instars of Strobilopterus proteus are used in a brief case-study of this possibility.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

For example, the question concerning the function "carrying a grocery bag" was updated to "carrying a grocery bag or a brief-case by the handle" which is a more up-to-date question and may even apply better to both genders [ 15].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

A gentleman with an overstuffed brief case, then asked an attendant if they had been forced down.

The New Yorker

At Dunhill, the designer Kim Jones is getting in the groove — literally, with marquetry on a stylish rosewood brief case containing artists' tools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a brief case" to introduce an example in academic writing, ensure that the example is genuinely concise and directly relevant to the point you are illustrating. Overly detailed or tangential examples undermine the intended brevity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "a brief case" (meaning a concise example or argument) with "a briefcase" (a type of bag). Using the former when you mean the latter is a common error that can lead to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief case" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'brief' modifies 'case'. It is used to introduce a specific instance or example that is presented in a concise manner. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a brief case" is grammatically sound and serves to introduce a concise example or argument, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While not overwhelmingly common, its usage is prevalent in scientific and news contexts. It's essential to distinguish it from "a briefcase", a physical object. When employing "a brief case", ensure the example is indeed brief and relevant, enhancing clarity without unnecessary detail. If seeking alternatives, consider "a concise argument" or "a short legal argument", adjusting to fit the intended meaning. To be more creative you can also write "a succinct justification" or "a summarized event".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short legal argument

Emphasizes the legal aspect and its brevity.

a concise argument

Focuses on the brevity of the argument rather than a specific instance.

a brief scenario

Highlights the scenario aspect but retaining brevity.

a succinct justification

Highlights the conciseness and justification aspect.

a quick example

Emphasizes the speed/quickness of the example.

a condensed analysis

Emphasizes the analysis aspect and its condensation.

a short instance

Focuses on the brevity of the event/instance.

a short account

Focuses on a shorter version of an event description.

a summarized event

Emphasizes the summary aspect of the event.

a summarized situation

Highlights the summary aspect of the situation

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief case" to introduce a short example or argument, as in "The paper presents "a brief case study" illustrating the analysis".

What's the difference between "a brief case" and "a briefcase"?

"A brief case" refers to a short example or argument, while "a briefcase" is a type of bag used to carry documents.

Can I replace "a brief case" with "a quick example"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a quick example" or "a short instance" to express a similar idea.

When is it appropriate to use "a brief case" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "a brief case" when you want to provide a concise example or argument to support your point, especially in academic or formal writing. You can use alternatives like "a concise argument" or "a succinct justification".