a brief of

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "a brief of" is not correct and should not be used in written English.
It is not a grammatically correct phrase. Instead, you could use "a brief summary of" or "a summary of" to convey the same meaning. For example: "Can you give me a brief summary of the meeting?" or "I will provide a summary of the report in my presentation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But the memo's subtext was a brief of the Army's grievances against the Rumsfeld team.

The New Yorker

The state administrative committee was also meeting to prepare a brief of evidence for Victoria police.

The Guardian

Sometimes I've been presented with a brief of who the designer visualises the girl walking down the catwalk as being.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A brief of experimental result on the dynamic response of blast-loaded sandwich shells was firstly reported.

Composite Structures

The investigation will provide a brief of principles with more details for the design of the ongoing project.

International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

Everything had initially been hunky dory when, like O'Neill, Di Canio and Poyet before him, Advocaat arrived with a brief of averting near-certain relegation.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

A brief history of Borneo?

Independent

A Brief History of Nakedness.

The Economist

Gives a brief history of him.

The New Yorker

A brief history of the ampersand.

The New Yorker

A brief treatment of kinematics follows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a brief of" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "a brief summary of" or "a short overview of".

Common error

Many writers incorrectly use "a brief of" when they intend to provide a concise summary. Always ensure that "brief" is followed by a noun that correctly indicates the type of summary, such as "summary", "overview", or "account".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief of" functions as an attempted noun phrase, aiming to introduce a concise summary or overview. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically incorrect. The intended function is usually better served by using phrases like "a brief summary of" or "a short overview of".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a brief of" appears in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, recommending alternatives like "a brief summary of" or "a short overview of" for clarity and correctness. To ensure effective communication, especially in formal or professional contexts, it's best to avoid "a brief of" and opt for more established and grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief summary of

Replaces "of" with "summary of", providing a grammatically correct and clearer alternative.

a short overview of

Substitutes "brief" with "short" and adds "overview", emphasizing a concise examination.

a concise account of

Emphasizes brevity and accuracy by using "concise account" instead of "brief".

a quick rundown of

Offers a more informal and conversational alternative, suggesting a rapid summary.

a summary of

Provides the most direct and grammatically sound way to express a short compilation.

a short description of

Focuses on providing a concise description rather than a general brief.

an outline of

Suggests a structured overview, highlighting the key points.

a snapshot of

Implies a quick, impressionistic view, like capturing a moment in time.

a digest of

Suggests a condensed version, focusing on the most important information.

a precis of

Offers a formal and concise summary, typically used in academic or professional settings.

FAQs

Is "a brief of" grammatically correct?

No, "a brief of" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "a brief summary of" or "a short overview of".

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

You can use alternatives like "a brief summary of", "a concise account of", or "a short description of", depending on the context.

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

Use "brief" as an adjective to describe a noun, such as "brief summary", "brief overview", or "brief description". For example, "Here's a brief summary of the report" is correct.

What's the difference between "a brief of" and "a brief summary of"?

"A brief of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. "A brief summary of" is a correct and commonly used phrase that means a short, concise summary.