be briefed on

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

President Trump, Mattis said, had "wanted to be briefed on each one of them".

The New Yorker

The boards of both companies are expected to be briefed on the current state of the talks on Sunday, one of these people said.

The New York Times

This would allow him to be briefed on intelligence matters.

The Guardian

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

Democratic Congressional leaders and Senate Republicans are expected to be briefed on the report on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Before endorsing it, he said, "we want to be briefed on the specifics".

The New York Times

"And so I had not had an opportunity to be briefed on it".

The New York Times

Education Employees will need to be briefed on the why, what and how.

The Guardian

"I think a president should be briefed on classified intelligence about America's relationships before offering opinions," he writes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be briefed on", ensure the subject clearly identifies who is receiving the information and the object specifies the topic or situation being explained. For example, "The team will be briefed on the new marketing strategy."

Common error

Avoid replacing "on" with other prepositions like "about" or "of" as they change the meaning. "Be briefed about" is less common and may imply a more general discussion rather than a specific briefing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be briefed on" functions as a passive verb construction indicating that someone is the recipient of specific information or instructions. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts ranging from military operations to corporate strategy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

19%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be briefed on" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone is receiving specific information or instructions. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While alternatives such as "be informed about" and "be updated on" exist, "be briefed on" implies a structured and detailed presentation. Pay attention to using the correct preposition "on" and ensure the subject and object are clearly defined for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be informed about

Focuses on the simple act of receiving information, without necessarily implying a formal briefing.

be updated on

Implies receiving the latest information, often suggesting a series of updates over time.

be apprised of

A more formal way of saying "be informed", often used in professional or official contexts.

be filled in on

Suggests receiving comprehensive information to catch up on a situation.

be instructed on

Emphasizes receiving specific instructions or guidance on how to do something.

be advised about

Highlights receiving advice or recommendations regarding a particular issue.

be enlightened on

Focuses on gaining understanding or clarification on a topic.

be made aware of

Highlights the act of bringing something to someone's attention.

be coached on

Implies receiving training or guidance to improve performance.

receive information about

A more general way of saying "be briefed on", without specifying the format of the information.

FAQs

How to use "be briefed on" in a sentence?

Use "be briefed on" to indicate that someone will receive detailed information or instructions about a specific topic. For example, "The new recruits will "be briefed on" the company's policies."

What can I say instead of "be briefed on"?

You can use alternatives like "be informed about", "be updated on", or "be apprised of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be briefed on" or "be briefed about"?

"Be briefed on" is the more common and generally preferred construction, especially when referring to a formal briefing. "Be briefed about" is less frequent and can sometimes imply a more general discussion.

What's the difference between "be briefed on" and "be informed of"?

"Be briefed on" usually implies a more structured and detailed presentation of information, while "be informed of" is a more general way of saying that someone has received information.