be brief

USAGE SUMMARY

"be brief" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to mean that one should not elaborate too much and should communicate their point succinctly. For example: "I understand that you are having difficulty understanding this concept, but please be brief when asking questions in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some victories may be brief.

The New York Times

His stay could be brief.

The New York Times

"I'll be brief," he said.

The New Yorker

4. Be brief.

The Guardian - Film

But the respite may be brief.

The Economist

I knew our conversation would be brief.

The New Yorker

This way, I can be brief.

The New Yorker

Sista P's honeymoon will be brief.

The Economist

This too is supposed to be brief.

The Economist

But the climb may be brief.

The Economist

Be brief, concise and direct.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "be brief" with a reason for the request, such as "Be brief, as we have limited time."

Common error

Avoid using "be brief" in situations where a more polite or collaborative approach is necessary. Instead, consider alternatives such as "Could you summarize the main points?" or "Please keep your explanation concise."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be brief" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to keep their communication short and to the point. As shown by Ludwig, it's frequently used across a variety of contexts to request succinctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be brief" is a grammatically correct and frequently used imperative phrase that instructs someone to keep their communication short and to the point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and informal communications. While its tone is generally neutral, it’s essential to consider politeness. For alternatives, consider phrases like ""keep it short"" or ""be concise"" when a more courteous approach is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep it short

Focuses on the length of the message, implying a need for brevity.

get to the point

Emphasizes directness and relevance, skipping unnecessary details.

be concise

Highlights the need for clarity and the elimination of superfluous words.

cut to the chase

Suggests bypassing introductory remarks and immediately addressing the core issue.

make it snappy

Adds a sense of urgency to the request for brevity.

summarize quickly

Specifically asks for a fast recap of the main points.

be succinct

Emphasizes precision and clarity in a few words.

state it briefly

Directly asks for a short statement or explanation.

get on with it

Impatiently urges someone to proceed without delay or unnecessary detail.

spare the details

Indicates that the listener only requires essential information.

FAQs

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

You can use "be brief" as an imperative to instruct someone to keep their communication concise, such as in the sentence, "Please "be brief", as we have a lot to cover today."

What is a more polite way to say "be brief"?

Instead of saying "be brief", you can use phrases like "Could you "keep it short"?", "Please "summarize"", or "Could you "be concise"?" to be more courteous.

When is it appropriate to use "be brief"?

It's appropriate to use "be brief" in situations where time is limited, or when you need someone to get straight to the point, such as in meetings or when giving instructions.

What's the difference between "be brief" and ""be concise""?

"Be brief" generally refers to the overall length of communication, while ""be concise"" focuses on using as few words as possible to convey a message clearly. Both emphasize succinctness, but ""be concise"" specifically highlights efficient word usage.