briefed me on

USAGE SUMMARY

"briefed me on" is an acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is an informal way of saying that someone gave you information. An example sentence could be: "My boss briefed me on the details of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Several veterans briefed me on the group's traditions.

The New Yorker

In the Met's painting-conservation studios, he briefed me on the arcana of wood.

The New Yorker

The Australian High Commissioner has also briefed me on the situation.

The Guardian

She briefed me on everything from how to use baby wipes to what rice cereal to feed our daughter.

The New York Times

Once Elwes has briefed me on how the rather clunky step-through bike works, I am all set.

The Guardian - Tech

As for curtailing surveillance, Ben briefed me on computer tools that allow users to block their activity from bugs that may be tracking their keystrokes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

I have people brief me on great intel every day".

The New Yorker

A researcher briefs me on what I might be asked.

The Guardian

And Karina was happy to brief me on Piri's shopping scene.

The New York Times

Looking grave, he tells Jackson, "I want to send you to Bophuthatswana, to brief me on the conditions there".

The New Yorker

Every day the police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, would brief me on when and where such incidents were occurring and what the police were doing to combat them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "briefed me on" when you want to convey that someone gave you specific information or updates, typically in a concise and informative manner. It's appropriate for both professional and casual contexts.

Common error

While "briefed me on" is generally acceptable, in highly formal documents or academic papers, consider using alternatives like "informed me about" or "provided me with information regarding" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "briefed me on" functions as a transitive verb phrase where 'briefed' takes a direct object ('me') and is followed by the preposition 'on' to introduce the subject of the briefing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "briefed me on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that someone provided you with information or an update. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though it may be more appropriate in neutral to slightly informal settings. If a more formal tone is needed, consider alternatives like "informed me about". It's frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

updated me on

This suggests a provision of newer information. It emphasizes currency, whereas "briefed me on" is more general.

informed me about

This is a more formal alternative that focuses on imparting knowledge. It is slightly less conversational.

filled me in on

This is a more informal and conversational way to say someone gave you the details.

gave me the rundown on

This phrase implies a quick summary or overview of a topic, often in an informal setting.

schooled me on

Suggests that information was educational or corrective; implying a learning experience.

advised me regarding

Indicates advice or counsel was given, shifting focus to guidance rather than general information.

enlightened me about

Suggests the information revealed something previously unknown or misunderstood, adding a sense of discovery.

instructed me concerning

This is a more formal alternative suggesting explicit instructions or training.

coached me on

Implies specific training and skill development, narrowing the scope to practical application.

educated me in

This alternative focuses on broader learning or understanding. This phrase is less direct and implies more in-depth teaching.

FAQs

What does "briefed me on" mean?

It means that someone provided you with information or an update, usually in a concise and informative way.

Is "briefed me on" formal or informal?

The phrase "briefed me on" sits in a neutral to slightly informal register, fitting various contexts but leaning away from strict formality. You could also say "informed me about" for a more formal tone.

What are some alternatives to "briefed me on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "updated me on", "filled me in on", or "gave me the rundown on".

How can I use "briefed me on" in a sentence?

Example sentences include: "The manager "briefed me on" the new project guidelines" or "The doctor "briefed me on" the potential side effects of the medication".