be briefed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be briefed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of being informed or updated about a particular situation or topic. Example: "Before the meeting, I need to be briefed on the latest developments in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have many military options" he told reporters outside the White House, and Trump wanted to be briefed on them.

Huffington Post

I'd be briefed, right?

The Guardian - Books

Headhunters need to be briefed differently.

The Guardian

Staff are due to be briefed tomorrow morning.

The Guardian - Business

Labor will be briefed by the government later on Tuesday.

The Guardian

This would allow him to be briefed on intelligence matters.

The Guardian

He may not think he actually needs to be briefed.

The New Yorker

Assistant Editors and team leaders will be briefed on the outline of the proposals.

The Guardian

Recruits would be briefed on sexual-assault policies within 14 days of joining the service.

The New York Times

The national caucus is due to be briefed on the move on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Representatives will be briefed by FBI deputy director Sean Joyce and acting CIA director Michael Morell.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be briefed" when you want to emphasize the action of someone receiving specific information, often in a formal setting or for a specific purpose. For example, "The CEO will be briefed on the quarterly results before the board meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "brief" as a verb in place of "briefed" when describing the act of giving information. "Brief" is an adjective meaning short or concise. The correct usage is to say someone will "be briefed", not that they will "be brief".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be briefed" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of information. Ludwig AI highlights its use in contexts where individuals or groups receive updates or instructions, as seen in examples like "Staff are due to be briefed tomorrow morning."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be briefed" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe the act of receiving information, often in a formal setting. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its relevance across various domains. When writing, remember to use "be briefed" to emphasize the action of receiving specific information and avoid confusing it with the adjective "brief". Alternatives such as "be informed" or "be updated" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be updated

Highlights receiving the latest information on a topic.

be informed

A more general term for receiving information, without necessarily implying a formal briefing.

receive an update

Similar to "be updated" but emphasizes the act of receiving.

be filled in

Implies receiving missing information to complete one's understanding.

be apprised

A more formal synonym for "be informed", suggesting a careful and thorough briefing.

get the rundown

Implies receiving a quick summary of essential information.

receive instructions

Focuses on receiving specific directions or commands, rather than a general update.

be enlightened

Suggests gaining significant new understanding or insight.

get clued in

An informal way of saying to become informed about something, especially something previously unknown.

be coached

Implies receiving guidance or training, often for a specific task.

FAQs

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

You can use "be briefed" to indicate that someone will receive information, often in a formal or structured manner. For example, "The team will be briefed on the new project guidelines tomorrow."

What's a more formal alternative to "be briefed"?

A more formal alternative to "be briefed" is "be apprised", which suggests a thorough and detailed briefing.

What's a simpler way to say "be briefed"?

Simpler alternatives include "be informed" or "be updated", which convey the same general meaning of receiving information.

Is it correct to say "be briefed on" or "be briefed about"?

Both "be briefed on" and "be briefed about" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice depends on the specific context, though "be briefed on" is often preferred for specific topics.