a brief service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a short or concise event, often in the context of a religious or formal gathering. Example: "The funeral will be a brief service, lasting no more than thirty minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A BRIEF service announcement.

The Economist

Rupert proposes to Puttermesser; they are married in a brief service.

The New Yorker

A brief service will be held at Frank E. Campbell, Madison Avenue at 81st Street today, March 22 at 12PM.

The New York Times

During the 3 p.m. break, when the men ate sweet yellow cake and drank coffee, Father Cho passed out prayer pamphlets and led a brief service.

The New York Times

The Elkes family will be receiving visitors on Monday from 1pm to 8pm at the family home with a brief service at 4 30.

The New York Times

There will be a farewell gathering on Wednesday, April 14, 6-8pm aThehe Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home at 1076 Madison Avenue followed on Thursday at 11am by a brief service.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The vigil consists of a brief candlelight service and a service of the Word.

Los Angeles Times

With Alex Ferguson in the process of building a new team, there was scope for Milne to thrive, but usually he was shoe-horned on to the unfamiliar left flank to accommodate Gordon Strachan on the right, and he was unable to do himself justice in his 30 outings for a spluttering side, before brief service with Sing Tao of Hong Kong ended his career.

Independent

Seven Score and Ten Years Ago, Louisa May Alcott brought forth a collection of letters conceived in her relatively brief service as a volunteer nurse, and dedicated to the proposition that not all military hospitals were created equal.

Huffington Post

After brief service as a mine inspector, he submitted a dissertation on partial differential equations and he was then put in charge of the course on differential and integral calculus at the University of Caen.

SEP

His brief service as a judge convinced him that he would rather help keep people out of jail than send them there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing formal events like funerals or memorial gatherings, "a brief service" is appropriate. However, for technical contexts, ensure "brief" accurately conveys the interruption's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief service" when referring to extended periods of work or commitment. The term implies a short duration, and misapplication can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief service" functions as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "service". It describes a service, often religious or ceremonial, that is short in duration. Ludwig examples show it used to describe funeral services and religious gatherings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief service" is a noun phrase denoting a short event, often religious or ceremonial. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent appearance in news and media, as well as general informational contexts such as Wiki. While suitable for describing concise events, users should avoid misinterpreting its brevity, and considering similar expressions such as "a short ceremony" if appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief ceremony

Slight change but keeps the context and swaps "service" with "ceremony".

a short service

Replaces "brief" with "short", maintaining the same meaning with a slight variation in word choice.

a concise service

Substitutes "brief" with "concise", emphasizing brevity and clarity.

a short ceremony

Combines "short" and "ceremony", offering a simple alternative for a brief event.

a quick ceremony

Replaces "service" with "ceremony", altering the context to a more general event.

an abbreviated service

Highlights the shortened nature of the service, suggesting it's shorter than usual.

a swift service

Uses "swift" to highlight the speed and efficiency of the service.

a condensed service

Suggests that the service has been compacted or made more compact.

a truncated service

Emphasizes that the service has been shortened or cut down.

a miniature service

Uses "miniature" to express that the service is very small or short.

FAQs

How can "a brief service" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a brief service" to describe a short religious or memorial event, such as "a brief service will be held at the graveside".

What's a good alternative to "a brief service"?

Alternatives include "a short ceremony", "a quick service", or "a concise service" depending on the context.

Is "a brief service" formal or informal?

"A brief service" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is often used in news reports and announcements about events. Using words like "a short service" can sound more informal.

When is it appropriate to use "a brief service"?

It's appropriate when describing an event that is intentionally short, such as "a brief memorial service" or a short religious observance.