be more succinct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be more succinct" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to suggest or encourage someone to use fewer words or be more concise in their writing. For example: - "Your essay is well-written, but try to be more succinct in your explanations." - "I appreciate your thoroughness, but for this report, it would be better to be more succinct." - "Could you please be more succinct in your email responses? We're trying to keep our communication short and to the point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

These dances also needed to be more succinct.

The New York Times - Arts

The least fanciful is that the change was simply a bid to be more succinct.

The Guardian - Film

Judges say unpublished opinions can be more succinct than full published rulings and can be issued without worrying about prior cases or the effect on future law.

The New York Times

It'd be more succinct as: "The colour and design of the ball makes it easier to see in flight, so the footballers can see it more easily" but better still "It's a bright colour so the players can see it easily" and best of all "Isn't it bloody obvious why it's a bright colour?" 1.34pm GMT Half-time: Blackburn 0-1 Manchester City 45+2 mins: Peeeeeep!

The Guardian - Sport

We could talk all day about belonging to a generation that's terrified of an undocumented experience and the attendant identity crises that arise as a result of this rapacious desire to curate a self-image... but let's be more succinct: taking photos in nightclubs is a cunts game.

Vice

We acknowledge that this study would undoubtedly be more succinct if all patients were simply receiving capecitabine monotherapy, rather than the majority also receiving oxaliplatin.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Among the insults traded over the years, Trump is said to have called Helmsley "a horrible, horrible human being", while Helmsley was more succinct: "I hate Donald Trump," she said.

The Guardian - Business

Ferguson was more succinct.

Independent

Smith was more succinct.

The Guardian - Sport

Some were more succinct.

The Guardian - Tech

Now, it is more succinct: "Strike".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing feedback, use "be more succinct" with specific examples of where the writing can be trimmed. For example, "Be more succinct in the introduction; try summarizing the main points in three sentences instead of five".

Common error

Avoid overuse in contexts where a more encouraging or collaborative tone is needed. Instead of directly saying "be more succinct", try phrasing suggestions as questions like, "Could we perhaps condense this section a bit further?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be more succinct" functions as an imperative, providing a direct instruction or suggestion. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It's often used when someone's writing or speech is perceived as too lengthy or verbose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Social Media

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be more succinct" serves as a grammatically correct and common imperative aimed at promoting conciseness and clarity in communication. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in various fields, including news, science, and business. While generally neutral, its tone can be adjusted based on context. For achieving effective communication, remember to use "be more succinct" judiciously, offering specific examples for improvement and considering alternative phrases for collaborative feedback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be more concise

Synonymous; replaces "succinct" with "concise", maintaining the direct imperative.

be brief

Similar to "be succinct", focusing on shortness of expression.

get to the point

More direct and informal, urging someone to focus on the essential information.

keep it short

Informal instruction to maintain brevity.

cut to the chase

Informal idiom emphasizing the removal of unnecessary preamble.

condense your message

Suggests shortening a message or communication.

summarize your thoughts

Requests a condensed version of information, less direct.

tighten up your prose

More specific to writing, suggesting the removal of unnecessary words and phrases.

streamline your writing

Focuses on improving the flow and efficiency of written communication, indirectly promoting conciseness.

make it snappy

Informal and emphasizes speed and conciseness.

FAQs

How can I ask someone to "be more succinct" without sounding rude?

You can soften the request by saying "Could you summarize that?" or "Can you give me the key points?" These alternatives are less direct than asking someone to "be more succinct".

What does it mean to "be more succinct"?

To "be more succinct" means to express something clearly and briefly, using as few words as possible. It emphasizes conciseness and avoiding unnecessary detail.

Which is correct, "be succinct" or "be more succinct"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "be more succinct" implies a need for greater conciseness than is currently present. "Be succinct" is a general instruction to be concise.

What are synonyms for "be more succinct"?

Alternatives for "be more succinct" include "be more concise", "get to the point", and "cut to the chase", depending on the context and desired level of formality.