briefly explaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "briefly explaining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is providing a short or concise explanation of a topic or concept. Example: "In the meeting, she was briefly explaining the new project timeline to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But it is worth briefly explaining the conditions drama producers are working under, here.

The Guardian

If this is true — if you honestly believe your actors might unknowingly find themselves in support of an ideological position they find abhorrent, and you don't want this to happen — you should open the audition by briefly explaining how and why this event became the motivation for the movie.

The New York Times - Magazine

A post on the Darpa Web site briefly explaining the Cheetah project did not go into what specific combat uses have been envisioned except to say that they encompass a "wide range" and that a test was planned later this year for a "free-running" version of the machine.

The New York Times

We start out briefly explaining the search model.

IZA Journal of Migration

We conclude the section by briefly explaining the calibration strategy and the model parameters.

SERIEs

In this section, we will introduce the SIRT-FBP method by briefly explaining the derivation of the method as published in [24].

Advanced Structural and Chemical Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Last January, CFO magazine briefly explained its selection of Mr. Fastow.

The New York Times

List these and briefly explain why you choose them.

The New York Times

Allow me to briefly explain the tantalising plot.

The Guardian

The principles of this instrument are briefly explained as follows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the end of your version, briefly explain your choices for changes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "briefly explaining", ensure your explanation is indeed concise and directly relevant to the context. Avoid unnecessary details that may dilute the clarity of your message.

Common error

Avoid expanding too much after using "briefly explaining". Readers expect a succinct explanation, so respect that expectation to maintain clarity and trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "briefly explaining" functions as a present participle phrase, often used to introduce or describe an action that provides a concise explanation. Ludwig confirms its correct and frequent usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "briefly explaining" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that serves to introduce a concise explanation. As Ludwig affirms, it's prevalent in scientific, news, and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that your explanation aligns with the expectation of brevity it sets. Common errors include unnecessary verbosity following the phrase. Consider alternatives like "summarily describing" or "succinctly clarifying" for nuanced contexts. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively communicate clarity and manage reader expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

summarily describing

Focuses on a quick summary rather than a detailed explanation.

concisely outlining

Emphasizes the structural aspect of the explanation being succinct.

shortly elucidating

Highlights making something clear in a brief manner, with a formal tone.

succinctly clarifying

Focuses on removing confusion with few words, implying precision.

compactly detailing

Highlights a reduced and efficient presentation of details.

terse account of

Implies brevity to the point of being abrupt or using few words.

quickly summarizing

Emphasizes the speed with which the summary is provided.

giving a thumbnail sketch

Offers a metaphor for a very brief overview, like a small drawing.

presenting a synopsis

Highlights that a condensed version of a story is being given.

touching briefly upon

Indicates a very light and quick mention without deep exploration.

FAQs

How can I use "briefly explaining" in a sentence?

You can use "briefly explaining" to introduce a short explanation of a topic. For example, "The speaker started by "briefly explaining" the core concepts of quantum physics."

What are some alternatives to "briefly explaining"?

Alternatives include phrases like "summarily describing", "concisely outlining", or "succinctly clarifying", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to use "briefly explaining"?

While "explaining" inherently implies conveying information, using "briefly explaining" emphasizes that the explanation will be short and to the point, which can be useful for setting reader expectations.

What's the difference between "briefly explaining" and "elaborating"?

"Briefly explaining" indicates a short, concise explanation, while "elaborating" means providing more details and expanding on a topic. They are essentially opposites in terms of the level of detail provided.