briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "in a few words" or "for a short period of time." For example, "I'll explain the situation briefly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Film

Music

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He thanked the X Factor host, Dermot O'Leary, and Caroline Flack, the presenter of its ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor, before appearing briefly to forget the name of the show's new co-host, Matt Richardson.

The Guardian

Their return to the elite in 2013 was played out under another three managers and via a play-off success over Brighton & Hove Albion that was briefly overshadowed by "Poogate".

The Guardian - Sport

The game was twice suspended, briefly in the first half after a large inflatable banana was thrown on to the pitch and for around 15 minutes after the interval because of objects hurled from the stands.

The Guardian - Sport

At 1.26pm, by which time the crowds had been waiting for about two hours, the 53-year-old Oscar winner and the 36-year-old barrister emerged from their taxi and, after briefly waving, went inside the city hall.

The Guardian - Film

At the height of Cleggmania in April 2010 the party reached the giddy heights of 33% in a YouGov poll, and briefly took first place ahead of both the Tories and Labour.

The Guardian

The Essendon star appeared dazed by the clash and was briefly off the field.

The Guardian - Sport

Campbell briefly succeeded Kennedy before Clegg assumed the leadership in 2007.

The Guardian

I want to be cheerful about Bradford, but the truth is that it looked a sadder place than when I stayed there briefly 30 years ago (and it was troubled enough then).

The Guardian - Opinion

Grade also attempted to revitalise ITV's content division with a big-name hiring, Dawn Airey, who stayed only briefly, opting to take the role of chief executive and chairman at Channel 5. ITV declined to comment.

The Guardian

The debate between the two raged briefly, but six months on there is no doubt which side are in the ascendant.

The Guardian - Sport

Richard Grenell, a longtime US spokesman at the United Nations who was briefly a national security spokesman for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, said Clinton was, ironically, in a singularly vulnerable spot on foreign policy among the potential candidates.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action or state that lasts only a short time, "briefly" adds precision and clarity to your writing.

Common error

While "briefly" is versatile, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In very formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "concisely" or "summarily" for a more polished tone.

How to use

Learn how to use "briefly" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "briefly" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the manner or duration of an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it means either "in a few words" or "for a short period of time".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Sport

12%

Opinion

7%

Less common in

Film

5%

Music

3%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "briefly" is a versatile term used to indicate conciseness or short duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, highlighting its common usage across various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, "briefly" serves to signal succinctness or transience. While generally neutral, overusing "briefly" in formal writing can make it sounds repetitive; as such, consider alternatives like "concisely" or "summarily".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in short

This alternative focuses on conciseness and summarization, similar to "briefly" when used to introduce a summary.

concisely

This term emphasizes the quality of being brief and to the point, mirroring one aspect of "briefly".

in a nutshell

This phrase implies a very short and simplified explanation, much like using "briefly" to introduce a summary.

for a moment

This highlights the short duration aspect of "briefly", focusing on a temporary state or action.

momentarily

This adverb directly conveys the idea of something happening for a very short time, similar to "briefly".

for a little while

This is a more casual way of expressing a short duration, comparable to one sense of "briefly".

fleetingly

This alternative emphasizes the transient and quick nature of something, similar to "briefly".

transiently

This term emphasizes the temporary nature of something, similar to "briefly" when referring to short durations.

for a short time

A more literal way of saying something occurs during a small amount of time. Has similar semantic meaning but has higher number of words.

cursorily

This term refers to doing something rapidly and without paying attention to details. This alternative describes the way action is executed instead of the short ammount of time.

FAQs

How can I use "briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "briefly" to indicate that you are providing a short summary, as in "I'll "explain briefly"". Alternatively, you can use it to describe something that occurs for a short duration, such as "He worked there "briefly"".

What are some synonyms for "briefly"?

Some synonyms for "briefly" include "concisely", "in short", "momentarily", and "fleetingly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "briefly" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use "briefly" at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a concise statement or summary. For example, "Briefly, the main points are...".

What is the difference between "briefly" and "shortly"?

"Briefly" typically refers to the concise nature of something or its short duration. "Shortly", on the other hand, usually indicates that something will happen soon or in a little while. The nuance between each one defines its usage.