be summary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be summary" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity in its intended meaning. Example: "Please be summary in your response." (though it should be rephrased for clarity).

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In Thailand, the government has justified what appear to be summary executions in the name of a war on drugs.

The New York Times

On the other hand, Rule 42(a) covers only specific situations and even then the contempt procedure need not be summary.

Cornell University

Breaching drone rules would generally be summary offences with penalties decided by a court, but a more serious offence of recklessly endangering an aircraft carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The Guardian - Tech

Mike Dailly of Govan Law Centre said his solicitors were working with MPs, the local authority and charities to identify those affected, with a view to raising legal proceedings to prevent what he considers to be summary evictions.

The Guardian

Justice Scalia, joined by Justice Thomas, said that the majority had treated the appeals court with disrespect, "as though we were schoolmasters grading their homework," and that "an appropriately self-respecting response" from the appeals court "would be summary reissuance of the same opinion".

The New York Times

Infamous for what were said to be summary executions and massacres in the 1980s and 1990s under former Syrian President Hafez Assad, the military prison was shuttered -- at least on paper -- in 2001 after his son, Bashar Assad, assumed power.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

· Findlaw: What is Summary Judgment?

Cornell University

In practice, the tribunals are summary and arbitrary.

The New Yorker

Soviet justice was summary: Pronounced guilty, he was executed.

The New York Times

Their procedure is summary and their volume of cases heavy.

Britannica

Critically, concepts are summary representations.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "be summary", opt for more grammatically correct and clear alternatives like "be concise" or "summarize". This ensures your writing is easily understood and avoids potential confusion.

Common error

A common mistake is using "summary" as an adjective when it should be a noun or verb. Avoid saying "be summary"; instead, use "be concise" or "provide a summary" for grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be summary" appears to be an attempt to use "summary" adjectivally. However, summary primarily functions as a noun. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be summary" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, it doesn't follow standard English usage. While the intention is understandable – to ask for brevity or a condensed version – it's best to use alternatives like "be concise" or "summarize". These options are grammatically sound and ensure clearer communication. Considering the infrequent and often questionable usage, steering clear of "be summary" will enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be concise

Replaces "summary" with a more direct and grammatically sound adjective indicating brevity.

be brief

Similar to "be concise", this offers a simple and grammatically correct way to request brevity.

summarize

Transforms the phrase into an action, instructing someone to create a summary.

provide a summary

More explicitly asks for a summary to be given, clarifying the intended meaning.

give a synopsis

Uses "synopsis" as a synonym for summary, providing a formal alternative.

be succinct

Replaces "summary" with a sophisticated adjective that means expressing something clearly and briefly.

present an outline

Suggests providing a structured overview, rather than a general summary.

be to the point

Emphasizes directness and relevance, focusing on avoiding unnecessary details.

offer an abstract

Implies a more formal and structured summary, typically used in academic or scientific contexts.

make it short

A simple and direct way to ask for brevity, suitable for informal contexts.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "be summary"?

Instead of "be summary", use phrases like "be concise", "be brief", or "summarize" to clearly convey the need for brevity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be summary"?

No, "be summary" is not grammatically correct. "Summary" functions as a noun, so it's better to use adjectives like "concise" or verbs like "summarize".

How can I use "summary" correctly in a sentence?

Use "summary" as a noun. For example, "Please provide a summary of the report". Alternatively, use the verb form "summarize", such as "Summarize the main points".

What is the difference between "be summary" and "be concise"?

"Be summary" is not grammatically correct, while "be concise" is a standard and acceptable way to ask for brevity. "Concise" is an adjective meaning 'expressing much in few words'.