ability to brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to brief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skill or capability to summarize information or provide concise explanations. Example: "Her ability to brief complex topics in a clear manner makes her an invaluable asset to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They aren't necessarily the best lawyers in the world in their ability to brief cases and make arguments to judges," Professor Schiltz said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Fitzhugh expressed skepticism that the national assessment accurately measured students' overall writing skills, because, he said, it tested only their ability to write brief essays jotted out in half an hour.

The New York Times

Free Flickr accounts provide one terabyte of storage for photos and videos that meet certain size requirements, unlimited downloads of your original photos and the ability to play brief uploaded videos.

The New York Times - Tech

It's been using seller ratings in its Product Search since 2010, for example, and last year, it launched the ability to include brief quotes from third-party review sites to its ads.

TechCrunch

The ability to sustain brief high-intensity intermittent efforts (HIE) is meant to be a major attribute for performance in team sports.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

As such, one could conclude that all (or a subset) of the mutations found confer the ability to withstand brief exposure to 70°C.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

These findings, although based on small numbers of encounters with problem drinkers, are consistent with previous studies indicating that clinicians who have received SBI training are more confident in their ability to conduct brief interventions and more likely to intervene with problem drinkers [ 26, 39, 40].

BMC Family Practice

On comparing responses between urban and rural FPs, the rural FPs showed significantly higher levels of confidence than the urban FPs both at pre- and post-test over all items (p = 0.001), except for their confidence in ability to conduct brief intervention at pre-test (p = 0.123).

BMC Medical Education

An unrepentant Bennite, a label fatal to many a political career, he was widely respected for his ability to master a brief and his capacity for hard work.

The Guardian

His iconic creations forming lasting impressions upon our senses to this day reflect his chameleon-like ability to tackle any brief and capture an entire film in a single defining image, but when asked about the secret to his success, he replies, "Less is More".

Huffington Post

Therefore, we explored whether the ability to associate a brief vibrational stimulus with the arrival of prey would provide a fitness benefit to pit-digging larval antlions, enabling them to pupate sooner.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ability to brief", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being briefed. For example, "ability to brief a case" or "ability to brief executives" provides more clarity.

Common error

While "ability to brief" is grammatically correct, consider stronger verbs like "summarize", "report", or "outline" for more impactful writing, especially in formal reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to brief" functions as a noun phrase describing a specific capability or skill. It indicates someone's capacity to provide concise summaries or explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to brief" denotes the capacity to provide succinct and effective summaries. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and formal communications. When using "ability to brief", prioritize clarity by specifying the subject being briefed. Consider stronger verbs like "summarize" or "outline" in formal writing for a more impactful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill at summarizing

Emphasizes the proficiency in creating a concise summary.

aptitude for concise explanation

Highlights a natural talent for clear and brief explanations.

capacity for succinct communication

Focuses on the ability to communicate effectively in a brief manner.

talent for precis writing

Specifically refers to the skill of writing a precise summary.

competence in summarizing

Highlights the ability to competently create summaries.

proficiency in concise reporting

Focuses on the expertise in delivering reports in a short manner.

facility for quick comprehension

Highlights the ease and speed with which someone understands and can convey information.

expertise in abstracting information

Refers to the skill of extracting the most important information.

knack for mastering a brief

Focuses on a natural talent for quickly understanding and responding to a set of instructions or information.

power to encapsulate information

Emphasizes the strength in capturing the essence of information in a condensed form.

FAQs

How can I improve my "ability to brief" effectively?

Focus on identifying the core information, structuring your message logically, and using clear, concise language. Practice summarizing various types of content to hone your skills.

What are some alternatives to "ability to brief"?

You can use alternatives like "skill at summarizing", "aptitude for concise explanation", or "capacity for succinct communication" depending on the context.

Is "ability to brief" formal or informal?

It falls within a neutral register but may sound slightly less impactful than using a strong verb like "summarize" or "outline", especially in formal writing.

How does "ability to brief" differ from "ability to explain"?

"Ability to brief" implies a focus on conciseness and summarization, while "ability to explain" focuses on clarity and detail. Briefing involves presenting key points succinctly, whereas explaining involves providing a more comprehensive understanding.