be more concise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be more concise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to express their thoughts or information in a shorter and clearer manner. Example: "In your report, please be more concise to ensure clarity and understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Its newer songs aim to be more concise but no less driven.

The New York Times

Can the text on the homepage explaining what you do be more concise?

The New York Times

So I found that one can be more concise with things, rather than go on and on".

The New York Times

Staff should move more often between the IMF and the private sector.Conditionality the policy strings the Fund attaches to its loans should also be more concise.

The Economist

Knowledge of privacy settings among children and young people could be improved, and instructions and information need to be more concise and easier to understand, perhaps by using more visual means, such as icons or illustrations.

The Guardian

Cover letters are still a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition, she said — and the rise of applications via cellphone just means they should be more concise, and specific to the job at hand.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Some are very creative, some are more concise.

The Guardian

The Staffer's Book Review was more concise: "The Hugos are utter twaddle".

The Guardian - Books

As for General Powell, his answer was more concise: "Nice try".

The New York Times

Tony Blair was more concise: "U.N. resolutions should apply [to Israel] as much as to Iraq".

The New York Times

The latter is more concise and had the advantage of a single, massive target.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing feedback, use "be more concise" to encourage writers to eliminate unnecessary words and phrases, enhancing clarity.

Common error

Avoid sacrificing essential details for the sake of conciseness. "Be more concise" doesn't mean omitting crucial information, but rather expressing it efficiently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be more concise" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to express themselves in a briefer and clearer manner. As noted by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. It's a common way to request greater clarity and efficiency in communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be more concise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative, primarily functioning to encourage brevity and clarity in communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase across a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to balance conciseness with maintaining crucial details. Alternatives such as "be more succinct" or "get to the point" can be used to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be more succinct

Replaces "concise" with "succinct", emphasizing brevity and clarity.

be more brief

Substitutes "concise" with "brief", focusing on shortness in expression.

make it shorter

Uses a more direct and simple way to ask for brevity.

cut to the chase

An idiomatic expression urging someone to get to the main point quickly.

get to the point

A straightforward request to focus on the essential information.

be more to the point

Asks for greater relevance and focus in the communication.

shorten your explanation

Specifically asks for a shorter explanation.

tighten up your writing

Focuses on making the writing more compact and efficient.

be more streamlined

Suggests improving efficiency and removing unnecessary elements.

summarize your thoughts

Implies reducing a larger amount of information into its key points.

FAQs

What does "be more concise" mean?

The phrase "be more concise" means to express something using fewer words while maintaining clarity and completeness. It's a request to avoid unnecessary details and focus on the essential information.

How can I "be more concise" in my writing?

To "be more concise", eliminate redundant words and phrases, use active voice, and focus on the key points. Planning your writing and outlining your main ideas beforehand can also help.

What can I say instead of "be more concise"?

You can use alternatives like "be more succinct", "be more brief", or "get to the point" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "be more concise"?

It's appropriate to ask someone to "be more concise" when their explanation is too lengthy or contains unnecessary details that obscure the main message. This is especially useful in professional or academic settings.