a brief instruction

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief instruction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to a quick explanation or guidance within a certain context. For example: "I gave him a brief instruction on how to use the machine."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Then again, at the most unexpected moments (over fries at Hooters, for example), he'll give me his full attention to deliver a brief instruction, like "Fall in love" or "Lose your address book and go to India," and my life is changed.

The New York Times - Travel

A brief instruction was shown to participants before the experiment.

Plosone

A brief instruction about the questionnaire was sent to the parents through short messaging system (SMS).

BMC Public Health

A brief instruction for the completion of the study instrument was provided to ensure that it could be self-administered.

BMC Medical Education

After a brief instruction course and training on a mannequin, 12 nurses used ILMA Fastrach during 71 OHCA(s) resuscitation in a prospective open study.

Critical Care

Prior to each stimulus block, a brief instruction was presented on the screen for 3.6 s to indicate what sort of response would be necessary.

Brain and Language

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The absence of an explanation or only a very brief instruction in one case, in contrast to extensive instructions and explanations in another, led us to the inference that characteristics of the PE could be considered a context factor as well.

BMC Family Practice

In the case of the laboratory class, this may mean that only brief instruction or a demonstration is used at the beginning of a lab; the instructor then waits and watches for most students to recognize the challenges and only then delivers a mini-lecture just when students are most in need of new information.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Prior to the experimental presentations, each participant received a brief verbal instruction of the task from EK.

BMC Ecology

After a brief verbal instruction prior to the jumps, subjects waited in an upright starting position for the final starting command of the experimenter ("go").

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

An initial, brief instruction from the administrator, an appointed nurse, was given to all subjects including the following information: all questionnaires should be completed in the given order, no explanation of any question would be given and if a question was not understood, the subjects were told to go to the next question.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing "a brief instruction", ensure clarity and conciseness. Avoid jargon or overly complex language to maximize understanding.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary details when providing "a brief instruction". Focus on the essential steps or information to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief instruction" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'give', 'provide', 'receive'). As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English, representing quick explanation or guidance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief instruction" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase that describes providing short, concise guidance or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its usage is most common in scientific and technical contexts, as well as in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various communication needs. Alternatives such as "a short direction" or "a quick guide" can be used depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, prioritize clarity and conciseness to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short direction

Replaces "brief" with "short", emphasizing the concise nature of the instruction.

a brief explanation

Focuses on the explanatory aspect of the instruction, highlighting its conciseness.

a quick guide

Substitutes "instruction" with "guide", suggesting a more practical and less formal approach.

a concise explanation

Uses "explanation" instead of "instruction", highlighting the clarity and brevity of the information.

a concise directive

Uses "directive" to imply a more authoritative and succinct instruction.

a succinct tutorial

Replaces "instruction" with "tutorial", implying a more educational context.

a quick overview

Highlights the summarization aspect, offering a rapid understanding instead of detailed instructions.

a simple direction

Emphasizes the ease and straightforwardness of the guidance by using "simple".

a short briefing

Implies a short informative session, often used in professional contexts.

a short orientation

Suggests a basic introduction or overview, replacing "instruction" with a term common in onboarding contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief instruction" to describe providing short and concise guidance, like "The manual includes "a brief instruction" on how to assemble the device".

What are some alternatives to "a brief instruction"?

Alternatives include "a short direction", "a quick guide", or "a concise explanation", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a brief instruction"?

It's appropriate when you need to convey information or guidance quickly and directly, such as in user manuals, training materials, or quick reference guides.

What should I include in "a brief instruction"?

Focus on the essential steps or information needed to accomplish a specific task or understand a concept, avoiding unnecessary details.