a brief summary of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief summary of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a shorter, unfinished version of a longer explanation or description. For example: "A brief summary of the project is that it seeks to improve housing in low-income communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gives a brief summary of the games.

The New Yorker

Prepare a brief summary of your findings.

The New York Times

Write a brief summary of your findings.

The New York Times

A brief summary of intermediate AFS commands.

Stanford University

A brief summary of this publication is also given.

Advances in Space Research

A brief summary of the report can be found here.

The New York Times

Begins with a brief summary of his background.

The New Yorker

Include a brief summary of this economist's theories.

The New York Times

Here is a brief summary of our report.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A brief summary of each paper is presented below.

BioMed Research International

A brief summary of the magnetoencephalographic data goes as follows.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief summary of" when you need to provide essential information without going into excessive detail. Tailor the level of detail to your audience and the purpose of the summary.

Common error

Avoid including too much detail in your "a brief summary of". Focus on the most critical points to maintain brevity and clarity. If detailed understanding is needed, provide a link or reference to a more comprehensive resource.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief summary of" functions as an introductory noun phrase. It prefaces a condensed version of a more extensive explanation, setting the expectation for a concise overview. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable way to introduce essential information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a brief summary of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a condensed version of information. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and appropriate for diverse contexts. Its frequency and usage across various sources, including science, news, and academia, highlight its utility in providing essential insights without overwhelming detail. When using the phrase, focus on clarity and conciseness to effectively communicate the key points to your audience. While commonly seen, remember to tailor your approach to match the context, and be mindful of more formal variations depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concise summary of

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

a short overview of

Substitutes "summary" with "overview", suggesting a less detailed account.

a quick rundown of

Uses "rundown" for a more informal and rapid summary.

a snapshot of

Implies a very brief, almost instantaneous view.

a thumbnail sketch of

Suggests a very concise and basic outline.

an executive summary of

Indicates a summary tailored for decision-makers, focusing on key points.

the gist of

Focuses on the essential point or main idea.

a summary of the highlights of

Emphasizes the most important or interesting aspects.

in a nutshell

Offers the most concise and simplified explanation.

the long and short of it

An idiom that means giving the essence of something, typically after a lengthy explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief summary of" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief summary of" to introduce a concise overview of a topic. For example, "Here's "a brief summary of" the main points."

What are some alternatives to saying "a brief summary of"?

Alternatives include "a concise summary of", "a short overview of", or "a quick rundown of" depending on the context and formality you need.

Is it always necessary to provide "a brief summary of" something?

No, it's not always necessary. Use "a brief summary of" when your audience needs a quick understanding of key points without delving into extensive details. Consider whether a more detailed explanation is more appropriate depending on the audience's prior knowledge and the context.

How long should "a brief summary of" be?

The length depends on the subject matter, but aim for conciseness. A good ""a brief summary of"" should cover the main points efficiently, typically in a few sentences to a short paragraph.