brevity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'brevity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in the form of an adjective to describe when a phrase or explanation is succinct or concise. Example sentence: "Her brevity in her explanation made it easy for everyone to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here's No.1, in which Biden demonstrates that brevity is the soul of wit: Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.30pm BST23 30 For your predilection, here are two more national polls that disagree.

The Guardian

Macleod, whom I met many years ago, is best known for the brevity of his chancellorship, which lasted only a few weeks in 1970 before he was struck down by the grim reaper.

The Guardian

But it was magnificently full despite its brevity.

The Guardian - Sport

IN THE verbose annals of Latin American integration, the declaration of Lima of April 2011 stands out for its rare combination of brevity and impact.

The Economist

The need for brevity also steers Mr Wood into skimpy armchair psychology, and he deduces his subject's state of mind from file photographs.

The Economist

And all things considered including the brevity of the war so far the whole is going rather well.

The Economist

(For brevity and clarity this report will refer to each Castro brother by his first name).Fidel's frail and ghostly presence in his compound in Siboney, a leafy enclave of mansions on Havana's western outskirts, doubtless checks the speed of reform.

The Economist

ONE of the sad consequences of the death of the telegram was the disappearance of brevity as a communications skill.

The Economist

Victorian generals who captured Indian towns telegrammed the news in Latin puns:"Peccavi—I've Sindh"Wrote Lord Ellen, so proud More briefly, DalhousieWrote "Vovi—I've Oudh .Now, brevity is reviving, in an unexpected quarter: the mobile telephone.

The Economist

She bemoans the way electronic media, with their demand for spectacle and brevity, have shortened our attention spans.

The Economist

CUBANS are not known for the brevity of their conversations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional writing, use "brevity" to emphasize the importance of concise communication and respect for the reader's time.

Common error

Avoid sacrificing essential details for the sake of "brevity". Ensure that the message remains clear and comprehensive, even when shortened.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brevity" is as a noun, representing the quality of being brief or concise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly and frequently used this way in diverse contexts. The provided examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in describing the length or conciseness of various forms of communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brevity" is a noun referring to conciseness and shortness, and is generally deemed grammatically correct and very common in usage, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is found across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. Its use signifies an appreciation for efficient communication. To enhance writing, remember to prioritize clarity when aiming for "brevity" and be careful about the semantic changes of synonyms like "conciseness" and "succinctness".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conciseness

Emphasizes succinctness and the avoidance of unnecessary detail.

succinctness

Highlights the quality of being briefly and clearly expressed.

terseness

Implies a concise and sometimes abrupt style of speaking or writing.

shortness

Refers to the quality of being limited in length or duration.

compactness

Suggests a tightly packed and efficient use of space or time.

curtness

Indicates a brief and potentially rude manner of speaking.

compression

Implies reducing something in size or volume.

pithiness

Emphasizes the quality of being concise and full of meaning.

abridgment

Refers to a shortened or condensed version of a text.

abstract

Describes a summary of a text.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "brevity" in my writing?

Focus on conveying your message using as few words as possible, while still maintaining clarity and completeness. Review your work to eliminate redundancies and unnecessary details.

What is a common mistake to avoid when aiming for "brevity"?

Don't sacrifice clarity or important details in the pursuit of being brief. Ensure your message remains understandable and comprehensive.

Which situations benefit most from emphasizing "brevity"?

Professional emails, executive summaries, and presentations often benefit from "brevity" to respect the audience's time and maintain their attention.

What words are similar in meaning to "brevity"?

Synonyms include "conciseness", "succinctness", and "terseness", each with slight nuances in connotation.