briefed

USAGE SUMMARY

'briefed' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It is usually used as a past tense verb form of the word 'brief' which means to give someone detailed instructions or information about a particular topic or situation. Example: The project manager briefed the team on the new client's expectations and the deadline for the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nick Clegg, who has been briefed by the prime minister on the speech, will reject Cameron's pledge to hold a referendum by 2017 on the grounds that it is wrong to commit Britain to such a specific timetable when there is uncertainty over whether negotiations will take place.

The Guardian

Darling, who had been briefed on the Carney speech, spoke to the shadow chancellor Ed Balls, who agreed to endorse the chancellor's statement on the same day.

The Guardian

In mid-2012, Gove's office briefed the Daily Mail about plans, never mentioned to any Lib Dem, to "bring back O-levels".

The Guardian

However, in recent years, the FCO has briefed ministers to call the events a "tragedy" but to deny genocide because "the evidence is not sufficiently unequivocal" – an oxymoronic term (something is either unequivocal or it is not).

The Guardian - Books

The first part of his plan went to order: the morning papers were briefed this morning that council tax would be frozen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Blair, before I arrived, had been briefed about what individual members of the family had said to me and now how they might like to qualify their views and statements.

The Guardian - Opinion

An internal CIA email from July 2003 noted that the White House was "extremely concerned" that secretary of state Colin Powell "would blow his stack if he were to be briefed on what's been going on".

The Guardian

No CIA officer briefed the president on the specific CIA enhanced interrogation techniques before April 2006.

The Guardian

We need to think about what other parties would have, in terms of the machinery to make sure people are properly briefed.

The Guardian

He said he accepted that they may not have been properly briefed.

The Guardian - Business

The PM, who has briefed Hollande and Merkel on his speech, is understood to have accepted that he may have to table his demands outside a formal treaty negotiation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "briefed", ensure that the context clearly indicates who provided the information and who received it to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "briefed" when the action is ongoing or future. Use "briefing" or "will brief" instead. For example, instead of "They are briefed tomorrow", use "They will be briefed tomorrow" or "They are being briefed tomorrow".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "briefed" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'brief'. This form is used to indicate that someone has received essential information or instructions. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and commonly used word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "briefed" is a versatile and commonly used verb form that signifies the act of providing someone with essential information or instructions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "briefed", ensure that the tense is accurate and that the context clearly indicates the source and recipient of the information. Consider alternatives like "informed" or "updated" to add nuance to your writing. Mastering the use of "briefed" will enhance the clarity and precision of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed

Indicates providing someone with knowledge of a particular fact or situation; a direct synonym.

updated

Suggests providing the latest information, often implying a change or progression in the situation.

apprised

Implies a formal communication of information, often used in legal or official contexts.

filled in

Means to give someone extra information about something that they did not know.

advised

Suggests offering guidance or recommendations in addition to providing information.

instructed

Implies giving specific directions or orders on how to do something.

schooled

Suggests thoroughly teaching or training someone, often in a specific skill or knowledge area.

counseled

Indicates providing advice or guidance, often in a professional or therapeutic context.

enlightened

Implies providing new insight or understanding, often revealing something previously unknown.

notified

Suggests formally informing someone of something, often through official channels.

FAQs

How is "briefed" used in a sentence?

"Briefed" is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'brief', meaning to give someone essential information or instructions. For example, "The team was "briefed" before the presentation".

What are some alternatives to the word "briefed"?

Alternatives include "informed", "updated", or "apprised". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I was briefed of the situation"?

While commonly used, it's more grammatically precise to say "I was briefed on the situation" or "I was briefed about the situation". Using "on" or "about" is generally preferred.

What is the difference between "briefed" and "debriefed"?

"Briefed" means to receive instructions or information before an event or task, while "debriefed" means to give a report or summary after an event or task. For example, soldiers are "briefed" before a mission and "debriefed" afterward.