a brief one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is short in duration or length, often in the context of a description or explanation. Example: "I would like to give you a brief one about the project's objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

A poll on Thursday morning suggested his reign could be a brief one: 51% preferring an Australian head of state.

The Guardian

On "NBC Nightly News," that story's analysis got a mention, but only a brief one.

The New Yorker

"A brief one".

The New Yorker

A brief one, in series two, when his heart stopped.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Nor did a brief one involving a step machine inside the chamber.

The New Yorker

The storm was a brief one, and I was soon heading inland.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

We were each assigned our own Flexologist and, remaining fully clothed, we were guided through a brief one-on-one stretch session.

Forbes

Therapists have received training to provide a brief (one-two sessions of 40 60 minutes each) intervention based on Motivational Interviewing [ 39 ].

BMC Psychiatry

But this one came in a brief one-paragraph statement.

The New York Times

Include a biographies section that contains a brief, one-paragraph biography for each principal project participant.

Yale University

A brief one-semester introduction to the theory and techniques of both ordinary and partial differential equations.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief one" when you want to emphasize the conciseness or short duration of something, such as a summary, meeting, or interaction. It is especially useful when contrasting it with something longer or more detailed.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief one" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, more sophisticated vocabulary might be more appropriate in certain scholarly contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief one" functions as a nominal phrase, where "brief" modifies the implicit noun being referred to by "one". It acts as a substitute, describing a previously mentioned or understood noun in a concise manner, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

27%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief one" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something concise or of short duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various writing styles. While predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it also appears frequently in Science and Academia. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives like "a concise one" or "a short one", and avoid overuse in overly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short one

Replaces "brief" with "short", maintaining the meaning of limited duration or length.

a concise one

Substitutes "brief" with "concise", emphasizing succinctness and lack of unnecessary detail.

a quick one

Uses "quick" instead of "brief", focusing on the speed or rapidity of something.

a succinct one

Similar to "concise", this highlights the quality of being expressed in few words.

a little one

Replaces "brief" with "little", suggesting smallness in scope or extent.

a momentary one

Emphasizes the fleeting nature of something, using "momentary" instead of "brief".

a fleeting one

Like "momentary", this underscores the transient quality of something.

a short-lived one

This phrase emphasizes the temporary nature of something, suggesting it did not last long.

a compact one

Highlights the small size or efficient use of space or time.

a thumbnail one

This option indicates brevity as a small overview is required.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief one" to describe something of short duration or length. For example, "The meeting was "a brief one", lasting only 15 minutes."

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

While similar, "a brief one" often emphasizes conciseness or lack of detail, while "a short one" simply indicates a limited duration. They are often interchangeable, but the nuance can depend on context.

What are some alternatives to "a brief one"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a concise one", "a quick one", or "a short one".

Is "a brief one" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a brief one" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise or sophisticated term might be more suitable, particularly in academic contexts.