be concise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be concise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that someone should get to the point or summarize something more quickly and succinctly. For example, you could say, "Please be concise when you're giving your presentation; there isn't much time left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be concise and unique".

The Guardian

A profile needs to be concise to be effective.

The Guardian

BE CONCISE: keep it short, no longer than 5 minutes.

The New York Times

To be concise and charitable, we were not managing it.

The Guardian - Sport

The Economist's rule is to be concise where possible.

The Economist

It managed to be concise, informative, and hilarious and it brought the show a Peabody Award.

The New Yorker

When creating your username keep in mind that it should be concise and easy to remember.

The New Yorker

They can be concise, sometimes as short as a single page.

The New Yorker

This is no bad thing: the artists have to be concise.

The Guardian - Arts

Written to a two-month deadline, it had had to be concise.

The Guardian - Books

It managed to be concise, informative, and hilarious — and it brought the show a Peabody Award.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional emails, respect your recipient’s time. "Be concise" by clearly stating your purpose in the subject line and delivering your message quickly.

Common error

Avoid over-explaining simple concepts or providing excessive background information. "Be concise" by focusing on the core message and trusting your audience to understand basic principles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be concise" functions as an imperative, providing a direct command or instruction. Ludwig AI shows its widespread use in urging brevity and clarity, serving as a directive for effective communication across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be concise" is a common and grammatically sound imperative that encourages brevity and clarity in communication. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki. To effectively "be concise", prioritize essential information, avoid redundancy, and use direct language. Common errors include over-explaining and providing unnecessary details. By mastering conciseness, one can enhance communication efficiency and ensure messages are easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get to the point

This alternative emphasizes directness and avoiding unnecessary details.

keep it brief

Focuses on the importance of brevity and avoiding unnecessary length.

be succinct

Highlights the need for a compact and clearly expressed message.

summarize briefly

Suggests providing a short overview or summary of the key points.

be to the point

Emphasizes directness and relevance in communication.

express yourself clearly

Shifts the focus to clarity and intelligibility in expressing ideas.

keep it short and sweet

Focuses on brevity combined with pleasantness or ease of understanding.

cut to the chase

This idiom emphasizes immediately addressing the most important issue or point.

avoid verbosity

Directly advises against using more words than necessary.

be pithy

Highlights the need to be brief and full of substance or meaning.

FAQs

How can I "be concise" in my writing?

To "be concise" in your writing, focus on the most important information, eliminate unnecessary words or phrases, and use clear and direct language. Consider using shorter sentences and paragraphs to improve readability.

What does it mean to "be concise"?

To "be concise" means to express a lot of information clearly and in a few words. It is important in situations where time is limited or when you want to ensure that your message is easily understood.

What are some synonyms for "be concise"?

Synonyms for "be concise" include "be succinct", "be brief", "get to the point", and "keep it short".

When is it important to "be concise"?

It's especially important to "be concise" when writing emails, giving presentations, or providing instructions. In these situations, clarity and brevity are key to ensuring your message is well-received and understood. In academia, it's important to "be precise" as well.