briefly explain the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "briefly explain the" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide a concise description or clarification about a specific topic or subject. Example: "In your report, please briefly explain the main findings of your research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'll briefly explain the basics of both here.

Columbia University

Allow me to briefly explain the tantalising plot.

The Guardian

We briefly explain the origins of design patterns.

Journal of Systems and Software

Small text cards question and briefly explain the style, history or significance of each selected item.

The New York Times - Arts

Can you briefly explain the basic security risks involved with installing a Web server so we can tackle each individually?

The Washington Post

If people are unfamiliar with the case, briefly explain the background to them before asking them to reflect on these questions.

The New York Times

Then in your work history section, list employers and briefly explain the company and the breadth and scope of your role.

The Guardian

Briefly explain the circumstances, then move on to why you want the job you're interviewing for and what makes you a good match.

The Guardian

In this paper, we briefly explain the notion of assertion aspects and the design of Moxa, and then we show an example specification.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

This paper will first briefly explain the theoretical concept and the general principles of Privacy by Design, as laid down in the General Data Protection Regulation.

Computer Law & Security Review

In this paper, we briefly explain the methodology from collection of oriented samples in the field to the minimum number of particles needed to obtain reliable fabric data.

Computers & Geosciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "briefly explain the" when you want to provide a quick understanding without delving too deeply into the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid including excessive details when using "briefly explain the". Focus on the essential aspects to maintain brevity and clarity. If more details are needed, suggest further resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "briefly explain the" functions as an introductory phrase, setting the stage for a concise explanation. It's commonly used to signal that the following information will be a summary or an overview. Ludwig's examples show its versatility across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

27%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "briefly explain the" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase for initiating a concise explanation. As shown by Ludwig, it appears commonly in scientific, news, and academic contexts. To enhance clarity, avoid excessive details and "summarize the" essential aspects instead. Remember that the purpose is to provide a quick but useful understanding. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Give a brief overview of the

More explicit about providing a general understanding.

Summarize the

Focuses on condensing information rather than explicitly explaining.

Clarify the

Emphasizes removing ambiguity and making something easier to understand.

Explain the basics of

Specifically targets fundamental aspects of a topic.

Describe concisely the

Emphasizes brevity in the description.

Outline the

Implies presenting a structured overview of the main points.

Walk through the

Suggests a step-by-step explanation of a process.

Touch upon the

Suggests a quick and light discussion about something.

Shed light on the

Focuses on clarifying and illuminating a topic.

Illustrate the

Implies using examples to make something clearer.

FAQs

How can I use "briefly explain the" in a sentence?

You can use "briefly explain the" to introduce a short and concise explanation of a topic. For example, "Could you briefly explain the concept of quantum entanglement?"

What are some alternatives to "briefly explain the"?

Alternatives include "summarize the", "outline the", or "give a brief overview of the", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "briefly explain the"?

It's appropriate when you need to provide a quick understanding of something without going into extensive detail. Use it when you want to "touch upon the" key aspects of a topic.

What's the difference between "briefly explain the" and "explain in detail"?

"Briefly explain the" implies a short and concise explanation, while "explain in detail" suggests a comprehensive and thorough explanation covering all aspects of the topic. If you can't find the time for it, "outline the" instead.