a brief on

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief on" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It means a short or concise summary or explanation of something. Example: The lawyers presented a brief on the new case to the judge before the trial began.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Eighteen states also filed a brief on the state's behalf.

The New York Times

A brief on the statistics from Wrap is available here.

The Guardian

Last week, they filed a brief on her behalf before the Second Circuit.

The New Yorker

The London article was summarized in a brief on the front page on Tuesday.

The New York Times

The Obama administration is expected to file a brief on the question this week.

The New York Times

Simon Tam, founder of the Slants, filed a brief on Brunetti's behalf, as well.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The best known of these dramatic works, "The Moor's Pavane," has a brief on-camera introduction by Limon himself.

The New York Times - Arts

After a brief on-deck training session, I would get a half-hour dive under the supervision of an instructor.

The New York Times - Travel

On the Sunday Politics, Sarah Sands, editor of the Evening Standard, made a brief on-film appearance, describing Johnson as a "great champion" on transport.

The Guardian

She told him that Nazre had pursued her and that they had a brief on-and-off relationship, and that he was now cutting her out of key work discussions.

TechCrunch

Hardy and Stratus had a brief on-screen relationship that saw the duo talking backstage and teaming together in matches.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brief on", ensure the content that follows is indeed concise and focuses on the essential information. Avoid unnecessary details that could dilute the purpose of a brief overview.

Common error

Avoid turning "a brief on" into a lengthy report. Stick to the core elements and provide a high-level overview. If more detail is needed, offer links or references to supplementary material.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief on" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically introduces a concise summary or explanation of a particular topic. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct phrase. Examples from Ludwig include providing "a brief on" various subjects such as security analysis, UNDP's programs, or evolving approaches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief on" is a commonly used and grammatically correct prepositional phrase that introduces a concise summary or explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively sets the stage for providing essential information on a variety of subjects. Its usage spans across diverse fields like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When employing "a brief on", remember to maintain brevity and focus on the core aspects of the subject matter. Alternatives include "a summary of" and "an overview of". Avoiding excessive detail is crucial to adhere to the purpose of a quick and digestible overview. The consistent and authoritative use of this phrase solidifies its place in both professional and neutral settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a summary of

Replaces "brief" with "summary", emphasizing the condensed nature of the information.

an overview of

Substitutes "brief" with "overview", highlighting a general and comprehensive look.

a short report on

Replaces "brief" with "short report", specifying the type of document and maintaining the concise nature.

a concise account of

Uses "concise account" instead of "brief", stressing the succinctness of the information presented.

a rundown of

Offers a more informal alternative to "a brief", implying a quick and simplified explanation.

an outline of

Suggests a structured overview, replacing "brief" with a term indicating a planned presentation.

a synopsis of

Replaces "brief" with "synopsis", indicating a condensed version of a longer work.

a quick explanation of

Emphasizes the speed and clarity of the explanation, providing a more descriptive alternative.

a short introduction to

Focuses on the introductory aspect, suitable when the "brief" serves as an initial presentation.

a sketch of

Implies a less detailed and more general overview, replacing "brief" with a term suggesting a preliminary outline.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief on" to introduce a concise summary or explanation of a topic, as in, "Here's a brief on the company's new sustainability initiatives." or "The professor gave a brief on the history of quantum physics".

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

You can use alternatives like "a summary of", "an overview of", or "a short report on", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a brief on" or "a briefing on"?

"A brief on" typically refers to a written summary or explanation, while "a briefing on" often suggests a more formal presentation or spoken update. The best choice depends on the situation and the medium of communication.

What is the purpose of "a brief on"?

The purpose of "a brief on" is to provide a quick and easily digestible overview of a subject, highlighting the most important information without getting bogged down in extensive details.