brief him on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief him on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to provide someone with a concise summary or overview of information. Example: "Before the meeting, please brief him on the key points we need to discuss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"My friend P is trying to reach [Person D1] to brief him on what's going on," one of the messages sent by the associate in February read.

Huffington Post

Headquarters instead offered to send him a four-member team to brief him on sexual harassment.

The New York Times

On October 23rd, Olmert met Erdogan in London to brief him on the attack and on Israel's motives.

The New Yorker

The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, called Putin on Monday evening to brief him on the attack.

The Guardian

President Clinton spoke with the Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, on Monday morning to brief him on the proposal.

The New York Times

Earlier this month, as Mr. Gardner was considering his decision, officials allowed Mr. Parnes to brief him on the protocols for lethal injection and for the firing squad.

The New York Times

"I'd been working terrorism since '86, but he'd walk out of the Hoover building, flag a cab, and I'd brief him on the way to the White House.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Trump bristled when Durbin and Graham began briefing him on the details.

The New Yorker

Mr. Alamoudi briefed him on how plans were progressing.

The New York Times

And I am briefing him on what I see.

The New Yorker

In return, ministry officials have briefed him on policy, while keeping Mrs Tanaka in the dark.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience's existing knowledge when preparing to "brief him on" a topic. Tailor the information to their level of understanding for maximum impact.

Common error

A common mistake is to provide too much detail when attempting to "brief him on" a subject. Remember the goal is to give a succinct overview, not an exhaustive explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief him on" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the act of providing someone with a summary or essential information on a particular topic. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brief him on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that is employed to describe the act of succinctly informing someone about a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread, particularly in journalistic and professional settings. While variations like "inform him about" or "update him on" exist, "brief him on" maintains a balance between formality and clarity. Remember to keep the information concise and tailored to the audience's understanding to maximize the effectiveness of your briefing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

update him on

Focuses on providing the most current information.

inform him about

A more general term for giving information.

fill him in on

An informal way to say provide background information.

advise him on

Suggests providing guidance or recommendations.

apprise him of

A more formal term for informing someone.

acquaint him with

Introduce him to the details.

notify him of

Focuses on conveying a specific piece of information or event.

report to him on

Implies a formal reporting structure.

give him the details on

Highlights the provision of specific information.

explain to him about

Focuses on clarifying something for him.

FAQs

What does "brief him on" mean?

The phrase "brief him on" means to give someone a concise summary or overview of information, typically to prepare them for a meeting, decision, or event.

What can I say instead of "brief him on"?

You can use alternatives like "update him on", "inform him about", or "fill him in on" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "brief him on"?

The phrase "brief him on" is generally considered neutral in formality, suitable for both professional and everyday communication.

Is it correct to say "brief to him on" instead of "brief him on"?

No, it is not correct. The correct construction is "brief him on". The preposition "on" follows the verb "brief" when providing a summary of information.