brief work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a short piece of writing or a task that requires minimal time or effort to complete. Example: "The professor assigned a brief work on the topic of climate change, which should only take a few hours to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

I began to work out the implications of this notion in a brief work of fiction.

The New Yorker

That brief work expressed Messiaen's aural hallmarks — ecstatic fanfares, bird-song figurations, ecstatic call-and-response volleys — with striking concision.

The New York Times - Arts

The Book of Haggai, the 10th book of the Twelve (Minor) Prophets, is a brief work of only two chapters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The brief work elicits wonder and awe, but the journey isn't as important as how Ms. Brown tinkers with perspective.

The New York Times - Arts

But "Are You Serious?" is a brief work that feels much longer, an unlovely book that's hard to love.

The New York Times - Books

Christopher Wheeldon's "Carousel (A Dance)" is a brief work to music from that Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Now the teacher wen there's time to kill takes them out for a brief work-out on the roof.

The New Yorker

Later, Molière, Wilde, Chekhov and others experimented with brief works.

The New York Times

Here are six passages from six relatively brief works (essays, poems, stories, and novels).

The New Yorker

Eight choreographers united for "Coming Together Fall 2001," a program of brief works on Sunday night.

The New York Times - Arts

But these brief works were dances of quiet and uncommon beauty.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing assignments or tasks, use "brief work" to indicate that the task requires minimal time or effort to complete.

Common error

Avoid using "brief work" excessively in highly formal or academic papers. While grammatically correct, it may sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "concise study" or "short assignment" depending on the nature of the work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes an activity or task that is characterized by its short duration or limited scope. As indicated by Ludwig, this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief work" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to describe a task or activity of short duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. While versatile, more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly academic settings. Remember that the term emphasizes efficiency and limited time investment, making it a practical choice for describing assignments or projects where brevity is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short assignment

Replaces "work" with "assignment" focusing on tasks given, often in academic settings.

concise task

Substitutes "brief" with "concise" emphasizing brevity and clarity, while "task" replaces "work".

short endeavor

Uses "endeavor" instead of "work", implying a concentrated effort over a limited time.

quick project

Emphasizes the speed of completion by using "quick" and replaces "work" with "project".

limited undertaking

Highlights the scope of the work as restricted by using "limited" and "undertaking".

small piece

Replaces "work" with "piece", suggesting a smaller, manageable item.

compact study

Implies a condensed, focused investigation by using "compact" and "study".

short stint

Replaces "work" with "stint", often used for a temporary period of activity.

cursory effort

Suggests a surface-level attempt, using "cursory" to indicate speed and lack of depth.

minor operation

Emphasizes the scale of the task by referring to it as a "minor operation".

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "brief work"?

Alternatives to "brief work" include "short assignment", "concise task", or "quick project". The best choice depends on the context.

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

You might say, "The professor assigned a "brief work" on climate change" or "Completing this "brief work" will help you understand the basics."

Is "brief work" formal or informal?

While generally acceptable, "brief work" leans toward neutral formality. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "concise study" or "limited undertaking".

What's the difference between "brief work" and "short work"?

Both "brief work" and "short work" are similar, but "brief work" emphasizes minimal time or effort, while "short work" simply refers to the length or duration.