brief but thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'brief but thorough' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something as precise and comprehensive at the same time. For example, "The report was brief but thorough, and it provided all the necessary information."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Along with a brief but thorough theoretical primer, we demonstrate the wide applicability and biological application-specific nuances by way of different illustrative vignettes.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

This webinar will present a brief but thorough overview to the general public of what computer vision is, including its different techniques and the technology behind it.

Cornell University

The book starts with a brief but thorough introduction to the history of Denmark in the thirteenth century, covering the country, the political setting and the legal context in which the laws were written.

Stanford University

DeJong's brief but thorough first chapter is particularly useful for researchers looking for an introduction to the political and legal history of treaty making in Indian Country.

Johns Hopkins University

7. Be brief but thorough.

Huffington Post

Follow these guidelines when writing the description of the population: Be brief but thorough.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is not possible here to mention all the data and information contained in this relatively brief but very thorough report.

Genus

Kent, our forever smiling (and ridiculously handsome) guide had introduced us to our ride, a two-seater fibreglass SeaBear sea kayak, and given us a quick but thorough briefing – life jackets, steering, paddling.

The Guardian - Travel

(The United Nations provides a brief yet thorough history of the question of Palestine at //www.un.org/Depts/dpa/ngo/history.html).html

The New York Times

It is stop-start, but thorough.

The Guardian - Sport

Burgess was not only fearless, but thorough.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use bullet points or numbered lists to present information in a structured and easily digestible format, ensuring thorough coverage without unnecessary verbosity.

Common error

Avoid including extraneous details that do not directly support the main point, which can dilute the message and undermine the 'brief' aspect of "brief but thorough". Stick to essential information only.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief but thorough" functions as a compound adjective used to describe a noun. It emphasizes that something is both concise and comprehensive. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is suitable for describing reports or analyses.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Academia

24%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brief but thorough" effectively conveys the idea of something being both concise and comprehensive. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, and its appearance in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian indicates its acceptance in various contexts. The phrase functions as a compound adjective, emphasizing efficiency without sacrificing essential details. While "brief but thorough" is not exceedingly common, it is versatile, suitable for neutral registers in both academic and journalistic settings. Remember to prioritize essential details to maintain both brevity and thoroughness when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concise yet comprehensive

Replaces "brief" with "concise" and "thorough" with "comprehensive" for a slightly more formal tone.

short but exhaustive

Substitutes "brief" with "short" and "thorough" with "exhaustive", highlighting the completeness despite the brevity.

succinct yet detailed

Uses "succinct" for brevity and "detailed" for thoroughness, adding a layer of precision.

compact but complete

Emphasizes the small size ("compact") and the full coverage ("complete").

terse but comprehensive

Implies a blunt and concise style ("terse") coupled with comprehensiveness.

abridged but exhaustive

Highlights that it's a shortened version ("abridged") while still being exhaustive.

summary yet detailed

Suggests a combination of a summary overview and detailed information.

pithy but insightful

Focuses on a short and meaningful expression ("pithy") with depth ("insightful").

streamlined but meticulous

Emphasizes efficiency ("streamlined") and attention to detail ("meticulous").

quick but in-depth

Highlights the speed ("quick") and the depth of the analysis ("in-depth").

FAQs

How can I use "brief but thorough" in a sentence?

You can use "brief but thorough" to describe a report, explanation, or summary that is both concise and comprehensive. For example, "The consultant provided a "brief but thorough" analysis of the market trends".

What can I say instead of "brief but thorough"?

You can use alternatives like "concise yet comprehensive", "short but exhaustive", or "succinct yet detailed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "brief but thorough" or "thorough but brief"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "brief but thorough" is more commonly used. The order emphasizes the brevity first, followed by the completeness.

What's the difference between "brief but thorough" and "brief and thorough"?

Using "but" implies a contrast or balance between brevity and completeness, suggesting that both qualities are present despite being seemingly contradictory. Using "and" simply lists both qualities without implying a contrast.