be terse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be terse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to be brief and concise in their communication. Example: "In your report, please be terse to ensure clarity and avoid unnecessary details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Be terse, if necessary, but polite.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Old Man could be terse at times.

The New York Times - Sports

The rhythms of his speech are vaguely Midwestern, and his observations tend to be terse.

The New Yorker

Responses are expected to be terse: as much information and as little prose as possible.

The New York Times

Telegrams, for instance, were likely to be terse, if only for financial reasons.

The Guardian - Books

He can be terse and sketchy, he can abbreviate and home in on a detail.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

But the songs aren't revivalist imitations; they would be terser if they were.

The New York Times - Arts

The Ruby code tends to be terser than the Java code, and much more readable than Perl.

Ruby Developer's Guide

The poem was terse.

The New York Times - Arts

The father's response was terse.

The New Yorker

The questions were terse, specific, well informed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In time-sensitive situations, such as emergency response or quick decision-making, "be terse" to communicate critical information rapidly and effectively, minimizing potential delays.

Common error

While aiming to "be terse", avoid sacrificing crucial details or context. Ensure the message remains understandable and actionable by providing essential information, even if it requires a few extra words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be terse" primarily functions as an imperative, instructing someone to be brief and concise in their communication. It encourages directness and avoidance of unnecessary details. Ludwig AI's analysis, backed by numerous examples, shows its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be terse" is a common and grammatically sound imperative phrase used to instruct someone to be brief and concise. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across reputable sources, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. While effective for promoting clarity and efficiency, it's important to balance terseness with politeness and ensure essential details are not sacrificed. Alternatives like "be concise" or "be brief" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. Remember, as Ludwig's examples illustrate, context is key to using "be terse" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be concise

Emphasizes conveying information in a clear and succinct manner, avoiding unnecessary details.

be brief

Highlights the importance of keeping communication short and to the point.

be succinct

Similar to "be concise" but may imply a greater degree of elegance and precision in brevity.

keep it short

A more informal way to ask for brevity, suitable for casual contexts.

avoid verbosity

Directly advises against using too many words, focusing on the negative aspect of being overly descriptive.

get to the point

Focuses on directly addressing the main issue without unnecessary preamble.

cut to the chase

A more idiomatic expression urging someone to skip preliminaries and get to the essential information.

streamline your speech

Suggests refining and simplifying one's communication for efficiency.

be laconic

Suggests a style of speaking using very few words, often implying a reserved or taciturn nature.

keep it pithy

Highlights the need for communication to be brief, forceful, and meaningful.

FAQs

How can I use "be terse" effectively in a sentence?

Use "be terse" to instruct someone to be brief and concise, especially when time is limited or clarity is crucial. For example, "In your report, please "be terse" to ensure clarity and avoid unnecessary details."

What phrases can I use instead of "be terse"?

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

Is it ever inappropriate to "be terse"?

Yes, being too terse can come across as rude or dismissive, especially in sensitive situations. Balance brevity with politeness and empathy to avoid causing offense. Consider the context and your relationship with the recipient.

What is the difference between "be terse" and "be succinct"?

While both emphasize brevity, "be succinct" implies a more polished and precise style of communication. "Be terse" focuses more on simply being brief, potentially at the expense of elegance. Ludwig highlights many examples when this expression is useful.