brief someone on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief someone on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to provide someone with a concise summary or overview of a particular topic or situation. Example: "Before the meeting, I will brief the team on the latest project updates to ensure everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The value someone puts on something should not, therefore, depend on whether he actually owns it.

The Economist

A brief thought on something I'll try to expand on later.

The New York Times

I get invited to a lot of meetings where someone wants to brief me, or bring me up to speed on something.

The New York Times

I became George's muse when they needed someone sitting on something.

The New York Times

No reason to let someone sell you on something untested.

Forbes

The worst thing to do is interrupt someone who is working on something or talking with someone else.

WikiHow

2 Someone on Twitter said something you disagreed with.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Someone who visually fixates on something you cannot see might be experiencing a visual hallucination.

WikiHow

Another reason for discontinuing pain medication was the notion of overcoming the pain on their own, taking responsibility, and no longer depending on someone or something else.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

2. Have a strong effect on someone or something.

Forbes

All of them (young and old) relied on someone or something just to "get by" (e.g., hand-rails in the shower, raised toilet seats).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brief someone on something" when you need to quickly get someone acquainted with the essentials of a topic, especially before a decision or meeting.

Common error

While "brief someone on something" is generally acceptable, using it too often in very formal writing can make your text sound less professional. Try to vary your language using more formal alternatives like "inform" or "update" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief someone on something" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "brief" is the verb, "someone" is the direct object, and "on something" is a prepositional phrase providing additional information. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brief someone on something" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable way to indicate providing a concise overview of a topic to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news media and wiki articles and has a neutral register, making it suitable for various professional contexts. While effective, it's important to be mindful of the formality of the context and consider using more formal alternatives if necessary, such as "inform" or "update".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inform someone about something

This alternative uses "inform" instead of "brief", suggesting a more comprehensive communication.

Update someone on something

This implies bringing someone up to date on the latest developments.

Get someone up to speed on something

Indicates quickly bringing someone to a sufficient level of knowledge.

Advise someone about something

Focuses on providing guidance or recommendations regarding a particular matter.

Fill someone in on something

More informal way to say inform someone about something, and suggests providing missing details.

Outline something for someone

Implies giving a structured overview, like a summary.

Explain something to someone

Focuses on making something understandable.

Instruct someone on something

This alternative indicates teaching or training someone about something.

Give someone the lowdown on something

Very informal, means giving the essential facts.

Clue someone in on something

Suggests sharing something secret or not generally known.

FAQs

How can I use "brief someone on something" in a sentence?

You can use "brief someone on something" to indicate providing a concise overview of a topic, as in "I need to "brief the team on the new strategy" before the client meeting".

What are some alternatives to "brief someone on something"?

Alternatives include "inform someone about something", "update someone on something", or "fill someone in on something", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "brief someone on something" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "brief someone on something" might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. Consider using "inform" or "update" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "brief someone on something" and "explain something to someone"?

"Brief someone on something" implies a concise overview, while "explain something to someone" suggests a more detailed and comprehensive explanation.