brief case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief case" is not correct in written English; it should be "briefcase" as one word.
You can use "briefcase" when referring to a flat, rectangular container used for carrying documents, typically used by business professionals. Example: "He arrived at the meeting carrying a sleek black briefcase filled with important documents."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A more recent example of the McGuffin would be the gold ray-emitting brief case in Pulp Fiction.

The Guardian - Sport

A gentleman with an overstuffed brief case, then asked an attendant if they had been forced down.

The New Yorker

Mr. Paul pulled out a giant ring of keys from his brief case and tossed them across the table.

The New York Times

The Upper West Side (72d St. and Broadway) offered 2 women carrying part of a piano and a man with a brief case full of groceries.

The New Yorker

Mr. Corzine, who was plagued in earlier debates by momentary verbal meltdowns, seemed to suffer a brief case of dry mouth, but never lost his composure.

The New York Times

The program, which has its premiere on Tuesday night, offers brief case studies of people caught in the resulting credit vise.

The New York Times - Arts

The brief case against Mr. Abdaladze and three other photographers was a baffling one, even in a season of high Georgian anxiety about covert Russian activities.

The New York Times

Park Commissioner Robert Moses was on hand to lend moral and verbal aid to young Riordan, but he never got a chance to open his brief case.

The New York Times

At Dunhill, the designer Kim Jones is getting in the groove — literally, with marquetry on a stylish rosewood brief case containing artists' tools.

The New York Times

This is demonstrated in a brief case study.

Acta Materialia

This brief case study provides an overview of the facility.

Membrane Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "briefcase" as one word. It refers to a specific type of bag, and splitting it into two words is grammatically incorrect.

Common error

Avoid writing "brief case" when referring to the bag. Remember that "briefcase" is a single word. "Brief" as an adjective can describe something, but it's not related to the bag itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief case" is a noun phrase intending to describe a container. However, it's grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, the correct form is the single word "briefcase".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "brief case" appears frequently in writing, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct term is "briefcase", a single word referring to a flat, rectangular container used for carrying documents. Ludwig AI highlights this distinction, noting that the two-word form is a misspelling. While the usage spans across various contexts like News & Media and Science, it's crucial to use the correct spelling to maintain professionalism and grammatical accuracy. Remember to use "briefcase" to avoid errors in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefcase

This is the correct, single-word spelling of "brief case" and has the same meaning.

document case

Focuses on the purpose of carrying documents, instead of the style of bag.

attaché case

Highlights a specific type of briefcase, often more rigid and formal.

portfolio case

Emphasizes the portability and organizational aspects of the case.

business case

Highlights the case is usually used for business and work.

work bag

Suggests a less formal container for carrying work-related items.

laptop bag

If the contents are specifically for computers.

messenger bag

Is another way to carry a laptop, but more casual

satchel

Refers to a bag with a shoulder strap, often implying a more casual style.

carrying case

A very generic description that emphasizes the function of carrying.

FAQs

What is the correct spelling, "brief case" or "briefcase"?

The correct spelling is "briefcase", as one word. "Brief case" is a misspelling.

What does a "briefcase" symbolize in business?

A "briefcase" often symbolizes professionalism, preparedness, and organization in a business setting.

What are some alternative names for a "briefcase"?

Alternatives include "document case" or "attaché case". These terms may describe slightly different styles or functions, but are similar in purpose.

In what contexts might I need a "briefcase"?

A "briefcase" is useful in professional settings, when traveling with documents, or for organized storage and transport of work-related materials.