brief defence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief defence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refer to a short explanation or justification of a particular point or argument. Example: "In her article, she provided a brief defence of her controversial stance on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Muir stumbled at one point, in a brief defence of the fast-track assessment process.

The Guardian

The battalion suffered 243 casualties during the brief defence of the island, including 74 men killed and 102 men wounded.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Richard Marles was promoted from the immigration brief to defence.

The Guardian

His brief 1995 defence of the out-of-fashion Tobias Smollett, in whom he saw energy and 18th-century vitality, is also admirable.

The Guardian

Carl Levin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate armed services committee, expressed those doubts after emerging from a briefing with defence officials on Thursday.

The Guardian

QCs, their cab-rank principles forgotten, fled from the proffered defence brief.

The Guardian

JamesLyons (@MirrorJames) Jim Murphy to International Development October 7, 2013 Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) Jim Murphy to leave the defence brief.

The Guardian

That champion of British sovereignty, Liam Fox, got rid of ours in his brief stint as defence secretary.

The Guardian

He dismisses Mr Spitzer with a broad stroke of his brush and makes a brief case in defence of Franklin Raines, the ousted boss of Fannie Mae, a mortgage company.

The Economist

Her twin sister, Maria, not so feisty but also a decent person, gets the defence brief, never as easy for a Labour politician.

The Guardian

During the brief hearing a defence solicitor said a second postmortem would be carried out and the results would be made known in the next few days.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brief defence", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being defended and why brevity is necessary or appropriate. It's suited for situations where a detailed explanation isn't required or time is limited.

Common error

Avoid using "brief defence" in situations demanding a thorough and comprehensive explanation. Overusing it in formal contexts can undermine the seriousness and credibility of the argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief defence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "brief" modifies the noun "defence". It serves to describe the nature of the defence being presented, highlighting its conciseness. This is consistent with the Ludwig AI analysis and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief defence" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a short or concise justification. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While examples are rare, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "short defense" and "concise defense", offering similar meanings. When using "brief defence", consider the need for brevity and ensure it aligns with the formality of the situation. Overusing it in formal contexts can undermine credibility. In essence, "brief defence" is a useful term when a quick, summarized justification is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short defense

Replaces "brief" with "short", maintaining the meaning of a concise defense.

concise defense

Uses "concise" to emphasize the succinctness of the defense.

summary defense

Highlights the condensed nature of the defense.

quick justification

Shifts the focus to justification rather than a formal defense.

expedited defense

Emphasizes the speed with which the defense is presented.

swift defense

Highlights the promptness of the defense.

rapid defense

Stresses the speed and immediacy of the defensive action.

terse explanation

Focuses on a short explanation as a form of defense.

abridged defense

Indicates a shortened or condensed version of a defense.

compact defense

Emphasizes the condensed and efficient nature of the defense.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief defence" to describe a short justification or explanation for a position or action. For instance, "The lawyer offered a brief defence of his client's actions."

What can I say instead of "brief defence"?

You can use alternatives like "short defense", "concise defense", or "quick justification" depending on the context.

Is "brief defence" formal or informal?

"Brief defence" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though its impact is stronger when more detailed explanations are expected.

What's the difference between "brief defence" and "lengthy defence"?

"Brief defence" indicates a short, concise explanation, while "lengthy defence" suggests a more detailed and comprehensive justification. The choice depends on the context and the need for thoroughness.