a brief idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief idea" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "It was just a brief idea, but I think it has the potential to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

What I learned in the subject was limited to Mendel's experiment and conclusions, and a brief idea of Darwin's voyage and theories.

The New York Times

In the contest, Filmaka challenged nonprofessionals to tackle monthly assignments to produce short films based on a brief idea posted on its Web site, filmaka.com.

The New York Times - Arts

Well, the report provides a more detailed answer to that question but the extract from it below gives you a brief idea: Since questions about drugs were introduced in 1998, the questionnaire has asked about Semeron, a fictional drug.

The Guardian

1. Commentary through commentary, learners get a brief idea on what the unit is about.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

The following sections provide a brief idea about the classification methods that are used in this research.

Brain Informatics

Table 1 and Fig. 1, respectively, summarize the indicators used in the method and the component derived, and provide a brief idea of the framework adopted (in-depth details are available in Appendix).

Agricultural and Food Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The brief idea of VS [12, 14] is based on the assumption of the for-matching sequences parallel with the continuously recorded trajectory (usually assuming the one indicated by INS).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Audiences familiar with the R.S.C. "Don Carlos" will get the idea, though a brief video of excerpts from "The White Devil" promises a bolder eye for spectacle, a more operatic ear for music and a hand more lavish in spilling stage blood.

The New York Times

David Harris, co editor-in-chief of The Journal of Brief Ideas, whico editor-in-chieford papers, says he is not surprised by the study's findings.

Science Magazine

For a brief while, that idea becomes popular, which leads to the emergence of dozens of imitators, funded in part by the venture community.

The New Yorker

(It would also eventually become a powerful sartorial signifier, spawning a flannel-shirt renaissance and, for a brief time, the idea that men should wear leggings under shorts).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a complex topic, start with "a brief idea" to provide initial context and prepare the audience for more detailed information.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting" when you mean "brief". "Brief" suggests a concise explanation, while "fleeting" refers to something that disappears quickly. Use "a brief idea" to indicate a short explanation, not an idea that is quickly forgotten.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief idea" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a verb or a complement. It introduces a concise summary or overview of a concept or topic. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief idea" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to introduce a concise overview or summary of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is versatile enough for various contexts, though most frequent in scientific and news-related content. When using this phrase, ensure that the explanation remains concise and serves as a primer for further details. Alternatives like "a concise concept" or "a short notion" can be used to add nuance to your writing. Be mindful of not interchanging "brief" with "fleeting" because they convey different meanings. Finally, remember the correct grammatical structure is "a brief idea" and not "a briefly idea".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concise concept

Replaces 'brief' with 'concise' and 'idea' with 'concept', emphasizing clarity and succinctness.

a short notion

Substitutes 'brief' with 'short' and 'idea' with 'notion', offering a more informal tone.

a quick thought

Uses 'quick' instead of 'brief' and 'thought' instead of 'idea', suggesting spontaneity.

a fleeting thought

Replaces 'brief' with 'fleeting', emphasizing the transient nature of the idea.

a rough concept

Emphasizes the concept is not yet fully formed or polished.

a preliminary concept

Highlights the idea as being at an early stage of development.

a simple concept

Conveys the concept is not complex or detailed.

a basic outline

Emphasizes the structure and summarization aspect of the idea.

a general overview

Conveys a sense of summarization with attention to the most relevant elements.

a summary description

Highlights the act of summarizing a more complex topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief idea" to introduce a short explanation or overview of a topic. For example, "Let me give you "a brief idea" of the project before we delve into the details".

What is the difference between "a brief idea" and "a general idea"?

"A brief idea" suggests a concise and short explanation, while "a general idea" implies a broad and less detailed understanding. The first focuses on the explanation's length, the second one on the level of detail of the understanding.

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

You can use alternatives like "a concise concept", "a short notion", or "a quick thought" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a briefly idea" instead of "a brief idea"?

No, "a briefly idea" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""a brief idea"", where "brief" is an adjective modifying the noun "idea".