a brief selection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief selection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or limited portion of a larger set of items, such as texts, artworks, or data. Example: "In this presentation, I will provide a brief selection of the most impactful studies conducted in the last decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Here's a brief selection – and let us know yours.

The Guardian - Music

Here's a brief selection of what's available in February.

Columbia University

A brief selection of knotty problems presented to the courts.

The New Yorker

A brief selection of peculiar questions recently presented to the courts.

The New Yorker

A brief selection of peculiar matters recently presented to our courts.

The New Yorker

"A brief selection of Knotty Questions Recently presented to the Courts".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

What follows is an all too brief selection of pieces by an essential political writer, Jonathan Schell: July 15 , 1967"The Village of Ben Suc".

The New Yorker

Join us in blasting this brief selection from an archive of tunes that took in fractured techno, burnt-end bass, rainforest house, and flubbery footwork romps.

Vice

Obsessions — Paris, cute underwear, Jews' love of Chinese food — remain consistent, even as the brief selection narrates something like a bildungsroman, beginning on Long Island in the early seventies "in horror, yumiliation, and embarrassment" and ending in the present with something like happiness.

The New Yorker

Players also go through a brief bonus selection when starting a new game, which will give them different landing conditions and first-turn bonuses when starting out.

TechCrunch

We inhibited TAp63 or TAp73 in T47D and MDA-MB-468 cells by expressing a lentiviral shRNA construct that we previously showed to be a potent and specific inhibitor of this isoform, followed by a brief drug selection (Rocco et al, 2006; Leong et al, 2007).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief selection" when you want to indicate that you are presenting only a small portion of a larger whole, emphasizing its representative nature. For example: "Here's "a brief selection" of case studies that illustrate our approach."

Common error

Avoid using "a brief selection" when the selection is actually quite extensive or comprehensive. This can mislead your audience. Ensure the term accurately reflects the scope of what you are presenting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief selection" functions as a noun phrase, where "brief" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "selection". According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and used to refer to a small, limited portion of a larger set of items.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief selection" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce a small, representative sample of something larger. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely applicable across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure that the selection is genuinely limited and representative to avoid misleading your audience. Consider alternatives like ""a concise collection"" or ""a short list"" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to maintain a neutral tone, as the phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concise collection

Focuses on the efficient and succinct nature of the selection.

a small assortment

Emphasizes variety within the limited collection.

a short list

Implies a selection presented in a list format.

a limited compilation

Highlights the act of gathering items together within a boundary.

a sampling

Refers to a small quantity meant to represent the whole.

a select few

Highlights the exclusivity and careful choosing of the items.

a curated set

Emphasizes the careful and thoughtful selection process.

an extract

Focuses on a piece that was selected from a larger work.

a snapshot

Conveys a quick and representative view of something.

a précis

Highlights succinctness and summarization.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief selection" to introduce a limited but representative set of examples, items, or ideas. For instance, "Here is "a brief selection" of our most popular products" or "I'll share "a brief selection" of relevant research findings".

What are some alternatives to saying "a brief selection"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a small assortment", "a concise collection", or "a short list". The best choice depends on the specific nuances you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a brief short selection"?

Yes, saying "a brief short selection" is redundant because "brief" and "short" have similar meanings. It's best to use either "a brief selection" or "a short selection", but not both.

When is it appropriate to use "a brief selection" versus "a comprehensive overview"?

"A brief selection" is appropriate when you're presenting only a limited, representative sample. A "comprehensive overview" is suitable when you aim to cover all or most aspects of a topic in detail.