a brief request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a brief request' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain a concise ask or query that is short and sweet. For example, "I sent her a brief request asking for her help with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In a second statement, she said the school had received a "brief request" five working days before the proposed absence "which did not even make clear that it was the pupil's mother's wedding".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

New Energy Economy a non-profit organization founded "to build a carbon-free energy future for our health and the environment filed a brief requesting that the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission reject a "black box settlement" reached by the parties to a case concerning the Public Service Company of New Mexico's (PNM's) request for a $791.6 million rate increase.

Columbia University

Department of Justicesaid federal law prohibits giving a public benefit, such as a bar license, to an "unlawfully present alien". The federal law was "plainly designed to preclude undocumented aliens from receiving commercial and professional licenses issued by states and the federal government," a lawyer for the Justice Department wrote in a brief requested by the state high court.

Los Angeles Times

To change your address by mail or fax: Write a legible, brief request including the information from step 1. Sign and date your request.

WikiHow

The study findings will be used for a policy brief requested by an advisor in the South African Ministry of Health.

Human Resources for Health

It used much the same language as it did in an earlier brief requesting the Fourth Circuit court to examine an "extreme" busing order in Charlotte, N.C.

The New York Times

In conjunction with this report, Apple has joined other companies like Dropbox, LinkedIn and Yahoo in filing an Amicus brief requesting more transparency be allowed in disclosing requests in the U.S.

TechCrunch

If you get lucky and receive a favourable reply (most people eventually respond well to a brief, intelligent request), talk to your boss before you respond.

Science Magazine

The initial 41-item questionnaire was administered to the pilot sample, together with a brief questionnaire requesting opinions on items not clearly understood, help needed to clarify items, problems found with item wording, time for completion, pertinence of anchor terms, and problems with display format and font size.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

On the inside cover put your contact information as well as a brief note requesting the the return of your potentially lost SWWD booklet.

WikiHow

The idea came from creative agency Circul8 in response to our brief requesting a 'digital interactive engagement tool', targeting a youth-based audience, to draw attention to Amnesty's work on women's rights in places like Afghanistan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief request" when you want to convey that the task required from the recipient will not be time-consuming or overly complicated. This can encourage a faster and more positive response.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief request" in situations where a detailed explanation or background information is necessary. If the request requires thorough consideration, it's better to manage expectations by indicating that it might take some time and effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief request" functions as a noun phrase, where 'brief' modifies 'request', indicating the nature of the request as being short or concise. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Academia

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science & Research

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a brief request" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a short, concise inquiry or demand. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It’s prevalent in various contexts such as news, academia, and general correspondence, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When using this phrase, aim for clarity and efficiency, and ensure that brevity doesn't compromise necessary details. While "a brief request" is suitable for formal communication, be mindful of the recipient's expectations and tailor your approach accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short request

Replaces 'brief' with 'short', emphasizing brevity.

a quick request

Substitutes 'brief' with 'quick', highlighting the speed of the request.

a concise request

Uses 'concise' instead of 'brief', stressing the lack of unnecessary detail.

a succinct request

Employs 'succinct' to underscore the request's terseness and clarity.

a small request

Replaces 'brief' with 'small', focusing on the modest nature of the request.

a simple request

Suggests the request is straightforward and uncomplicated, instead of just short.

a minor request

Indicates the request is not significant or substantial.

a short inquiry

Replaces 'request' with 'inquiry', framing it as a question or investigation.

a concise inquiry

Combines conciseness with the nature of an inquiry.

a brief application

Frames the 'request' as a formal application process.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief request" to describe a short and concise inquiry or demand, such as, "I submitted "a brief request" for a meeting with the manager to discuss the project's timeline".

What's the difference between "a brief request" and "a detailed request"?

"A brief request" implies that the information needed is minimal and the task is straightforward. In contrast, "a detailed request" suggests that considerable information and possibly more effort are required. Choose ""a brief request"" when simplicity is key.

What are some alternatives to "a brief request"?

Alternatives include "a short request", "a quick request", or "a concise request". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey: 'short' emphasizes length, 'quick' emphasizes speed, and 'concise' emphasizes clarity.

Is it appropriate to use "a brief request" in formal correspondence?

Yes, "a brief request" is suitable for formal correspondence, especially when the matter is straightforward and requires minimal explanation. It conveys efficiency and respect for the recipient's time. For example, "I am sending "a brief request" regarding the outstanding invoice".