brief as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting someone to provide information or an explanation in a concise manner. Example: "Please summarize the report and keep it as brief as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

That included making the text as brief as possible, even if it meant sacrificing detail.

The Guardian - Tech

She preferred to keep the genteel preliminaries — coquetry, foreplay, drinks, a friendly hello — as brief as possible.

The New Yorker

Do keep posting your questions for the Liberty lawyers in the comments below, keeping your queries as brief as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

He should keep his visit as brief as possible and not flinch from telling General Musharraf what he must do to win American and world respect.

The New York Times

Topic introductions and demonstrations are kept as brief as possible to accommodate staggeringly short attention spans which inevitably give way to disruption.

The Guardian

Before the Nets defeated the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on Tuesday night, Kidd said that he preferred the ceremony be as brief as possible.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The station, which is independent and noncommercial, is celebrating its 50th birthday this week during its annual as-brief-as-possible beg-athon, but if Mr. Castro has his spot in history, remarkably, WFMU does too.

The New York Times

When preparing for a key summit on a matter of global security, it is usual for leaders to get themselves up to speed by reading as much incisive briefing as possible.

Independent

"The President stressed the importanceof maintaining heightened security measures for all air travel and gaveinstructions to set up another secure teleconference briefing as soon as possible," Mr. Burton added.

The New York Times

What is needed instead is a more constructive public relations effort, using objective sources and hard evidence to win over the hearts and minds of Iraqis, making the American stewardship of their country as brief and painless as possible.

The New York Times

I wouldn't make a song and dance about it, just state in as brief a way as possible that you spent the period recovering from a serious illness and offer to give contact details for your consultant/gp should they want any more details".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brief as possible" in instructions, specify what aspects should be concise (e.g., "Keep the introduction as brief as possible, focusing on the main topic.").

Common error

Avoid making explanations so "brief as possible" that they become ambiguous or lack essential context. Ensure clarity is maintained even when striving for brevity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief as possible" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the desired extent or duration of an action or state. It is used to express the need for conciseness and efficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and used in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief as possible" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that serves to emphasize conciseness and efficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and frequently used. It is prevalent in contexts like News & Media, Science, and Wiki, with a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. Alternatives such as "as "concise as possible"" or "as short as possible" can provide subtle variations in meaning. When employing "brief as possible", ensure that brevity doesn't compromise clarity, and that all essential information is conveyed effectively. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as concise as possible

Replaces "brief" with "concise", emphasizing succinctness and clarity.

as short as possible

Substitutes "brief" with "short", highlighting brevity in terms of length or duration.

as succinct as possible

Uses "succinct" instead of "brief", stressing conciseness and directness.

as abbreviated as possible

Highlights the aspect of shortening or condensing information.

keep it brief

An imperative form, instructing someone to be brief.

as quickly as possible

Focuses on speed and efficiency, rather than just brevity.

as compact as possible

Emphasizes the aspect of being tightly packed or condensed.

as minimal as possible

Highlights the reduction of something to its bare essentials.

in the shortest time possible

Emphasizes time efficiency.

to the point

Direct and without unnecessary detail.

FAQs

How can I use "brief as possible" in a sentence?

You can use "brief as possible" to request conciseness, such as "Please keep your answers as "brief as possible"" or "The meeting should be as "brief as possible" to accommodate everyone's schedules."

What's a more formal alternative to "brief as possible"?

In formal settings, consider using alternatives like "as "concise as possible"" or "as "succinct as possible"" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it okay to sacrifice detail to be "brief as possible"?

While brevity is valuable, ensure that essential information isn't lost. Balance conciseness with clarity to maintain the message's integrity. Sometimes a longer, more detailed explanation is necessary.

What's the difference between "short as possible" and "brief as possible"?

While similar, "short as possible" often refers to physical length or duration, whereas "brief as possible" emphasizes conciseness in communication, although they are often interchangeable.