brief consultation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief consultation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a short meeting or discussion to seek advice or information. Example: "After a brief consultation with the team, we decided to move forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

A brief consultation ensues.

The New York Times

After a brief consultation with Alastair Cook, Bresnan trudged off.

Independent

Instead, he prescribes medication, usually after a brief consultation with each patient.

The New York Times - Health

After a brief consultation with the captain, our guide, Stig Einarsen, returned to deck.

The New York Times - Travel

After a brief consultation with each other, all three refused to answer.

The Guardian - Sport

The rabbi, after brief consultation with the couple, quickly recovered control of the proceedings.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Three psychiatrists have now testified that after brief consultations, they deemed Dr. Bierenbaum to be dangerous.

The New York Times

What one expert called the "relentless appointment treadmill" of brief consultations is fuelling family doctors' deep dissatisfaction with their jobs.

The Guardian

More simply want better customer service than British GPs tend to provide, with their brief consultations and frustrating systems for booking appointments.

The Economist

Brief consultations have become common in psychiatry, said Dr. Steven S. Sharfstein, a former president of the American Psychiatric Association and the president and chief executive of Sheppard Pratt Health System, Maryland's largest behavioral health system.

The New York Times - Health

Her only regret about old age, she said recently, was feeling obliged not to accept new clients — "except for very brief consultations".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the level of formality required. While "brief consultation" is generally acceptable, alternatives like "quick chat" may be more suitable in informal settings.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of a "brief consultation". Clearly communicate the limitations of the advice or information provided given the short duration to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief consultation" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "brief" modifies the noun "consultation". According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it describing short meetings or discussions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brief consultation" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe a short meeting for advice or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct and is found across various sources, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "short discussion" or "quick meeting" exist, "brief consultation" maintains a professional and neutral tone. When using the phrase, it's important to set clear expectations about the scope and limitations of the discussion, as well as tailor your language to suit your audience and the context of the interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short discussion

Replaces "consultation" with a more general term for discussion, emphasizing brevity.

quick meeting

Substitutes both "brief" and "consultation" with simpler, more direct terms.

concise deliberation

Offers a slightly more formal alternative, highlighting the focused and efficient nature of the discussion.

short advisory session

Emphasizes the advisory aspect of the consultation, while maintaining the brevity.

expedited conference

Highlights the speed and efficiency of the meeting, suggesting a quick exchange of information.

abbreviated discussion

Focuses on the reduced length of the discussion compared to a standard consultation.

fast counsel

A more succinct alternative, emphasizing the quick nature of the advice given.

cursory review

Suggests a quick examination or overview of a topic or situation.

swift deliberation

Highlights the speed with which the matter is considered and decided.

fleeting conversation

Implies a very short and perhaps informal discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "brief consultation" in a sentence?

You can use "brief consultation" to describe a short meeting where advice or information is exchanged, such as, "After a "brief consultation" with the doctor, I received a prescription."

What are some synonyms for "brief consultation"?

Alternatives include "short discussion", "quick meeting", or "concise deliberation", depending on the formality and context.

Is "brief consultation" formal or informal?

"Brief consultation" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for professional and academic contexts, but less appropriate for very informal conversations.

How does a "brief consultation" differ from a regular consultation?

A "brief consultation" is shorter and less in-depth than a regular consultation. It is intended for quick advice or information exchange, whereas a regular consultation may involve a more thorough examination or discussion.