a brief consultation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief consultation" is correct and usable in written English
It can be used when referring to a short meeting or discussion to seek advice or information. Example: "After a brief consultation with the team, we decided to move forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

A brief consultation ensues.

The New York Times

After a brief consultation with Alastair Cook, Bresnan trudged off.

Independent

After a brief consultation with the captain, our guide, Stig Einarsen, returned to deck.

The New York Times - Travel

After a brief consultation with each other, all three refused to answer.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, he prescribes medication, usually after a brief consultation with each patient.

The New York Times - Health

After a brief consultation, the militia decided to let Mr Warfalla go.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Basically we have to nail down how to do each step correctly (it is technically, legally, and financially complex), though in our brief consultation with an ex-SEC lawyer, he stated he could find nothing illegal about this plan.

TechCrunch

During our brief consultation, I got a wake-up call about my body and what I was--and shouldn't have been--putting into it.

Huffington Post

After a brief email consultation with other mothers (not ones I like, just ones I know, otherwise it becomes an invalid exercise, because friends are in part selected because their attitudes jibe with your own), it turns out that the prevailing wisdom is that this sort of treatment is liable to damage a child's self-esteem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

During home visits, the survivors underwent a brief medical consultation, malaria smears were taken, and basic medicines were provided to the villagers.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

An example was a GP who described how one of his patients with cancer had paid a large amount of money for a brief telephone consultation and treatment of "no proven value".

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brief consultation", ensure the context clearly indicates the limited time or scope of the discussion. This helps set expectations and avoids misunderstandings about the depth of advice or information provided.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief consultation" when the situation requires a thorough and detailed analysis. Opt for phrases like "comprehensive review" or "in-depth assessment" to accurately reflect the nature of the interaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief consultation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It describes an instance of seeking advice or expertise in a concise manner. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief consultation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a short meeting or discussion focused on seeking advice or information. Ludwig AI shows it appears most often in news and media contexts, with strong presence also in science and formal business settings. It's crucial to ensure that its use aligns with situations where a concise exchange is intended, avoiding contexts requiring comprehensive analysis. Alternative expressions like ""a short meeting"" or "a quick discussion" can be employed depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short consultation

Replaces "brief" with "short", emphasizing the limited duration of the consultation.

a quick consultation

Substitutes "brief" with "quick", highlighting the speed of the consultation.

a short meeting

Replaces "consultation" with "meeting", broadening the context to any short gathering.

a quick discussion

Substitutes "consultation" with "discussion", focusing on the exchange of ideas.

a brief advising

Replaces "consultation" with advising emphasizing the act of providing counsel in short time.

a short advising

Replaces "brief" and "consultation" with short advising emphasizing the act of providing counsel in short time.

a limited consultation

Emphasizes the restricted scope or depth of the consultation.

a short term consultation

Emphasizes the period of time for consultation is reduced.

a fleeting consultation

Uses "fleeting" to suggest the consultation is very short and almost instantaneous.

a simple consultation

Highlights the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of the consultation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief consultation" to describe a short meeting or discussion where advice or information is exchanged, such as, "After "a brief consultation" with the doctor, I received a prescription."

What's the difference between "a brief consultation" and "a short meeting"?

"A brief consultation" implies seeking advice or expertise, while "a short meeting" is a general term for any quick gathering. You might have "a short meeting" to discuss project updates, but you'd have "a brief consultation" to get legal advice.

What can I say instead of "a brief consultation"?

You can use alternatives like "a quick discussion", ""a short meeting"", or "a limited consultation" depending on the specific context.

Is "a brief consultation" formal or informal?

"A brief consultation" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally suitable for professional or neutral settings where a concise exchange of information is needed.