briefly reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "briefly reference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to mention something in a concise manner without going into detail. Example: "In the report, I will briefly reference the previous studies to support my findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Executive producer Brad Wright however noted the similarities to the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Cause and Effect", and writer Robert C. Cooper suggested a lighter direction similar to the feature film Groundhog Day, which O'Neill would briefly reference in the episode.

Wikipedia

Briefly, reference genomic DNA and test DNA are differentially labeled, pooled, and hybridized onto arrays comprising BAC, cDNA, or oligonucleotides, and imbalances are visualized as differences in fluorescence intensity.

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the couple guarded their privacy closely, with Dockery only briefly referencing Dineen in an interview more than a year ago when she said she had a "wonderful man in my life from Ireland".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"During the course of a broad conversation about political dynamics in Washington that briefly referenced the debt limit debate, Secretary Kerry made clear that this is a moment in Washington politics and reaffirmed the President's commitment to resolving the issue," the official said.

The New York Times

Watch the @Daredevil #NYCC sizzle... Season 2 looks epic! http://t.co/Ce7EJjhZkT https://t.co/Ak03ebZIJq The most exciting part, of course, is that we get our first look at Elodie Yung's Elektra - who was briefly referenced last season - and Jon Bernthal's The Punisher.

Independent

Ragnarök is briefly referenced in stanza 40 of the poem Helgakviða Hundingsbana II.

Wikipedia

The pope only briefly referenced abortion -- an issue on which he agrees with more conservative members of Congress -- but did not actually use the word.

Huffington Post

Ball only briefly references Orth, whose book had been out for over a decade when House of Versace was published in 2010.

Vice

The duo decided to employ another sea myth alluded in the previous episodes: mermaids, which are briefly referenced in the book.

Wikipedia

Another early memory of mine is of going into Waterstones, picking out a copy of the book, reading the last pages, and being intrigued that my life was briefly referenced somewhere anyone could access.

Vice

He also briefly referenced the estimated 11 million refugees who have fled the civil war, saying that the U.S.'s end goal would be to have those Syrians and internally-displaced persons return to their homes.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "briefly reference" when you want to acknowledge a topic without delving into extensive details. This is useful for maintaining focus and pacing in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "briefly reference" excessively, as it can make your writing seem dismissive or lacking in substance. Ensure that all referenced topics receive adequate attention, even if brief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "briefly reference" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action performed by a subject, specifically to mention something in a concise or abbreviated manner. Ludwig AI suggests that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "briefly reference" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a concise mention or allusion to a topic. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context while maintaining brevity. Consider alternatives like "mention in passing" or "touch upon lightly" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase has a neutral formality and its overuse should be avoided to maintain substance in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mention in passing

Focuses on the casualness and lack of detail in the mention.

touch upon lightly

Emphasizes the delicate and superficial nature of the reference.

allude to briefly

Highlights the indirect and concise nature of the reference.

make a fleeting mention

Stresses the short duration and insubstantial nature of the mention.

refer to concisely

Highlights the brevity and precision of the reference.

hint at quickly

Focuses on the subtle and rapid nature of the suggestion.

glance at briefly

Implies a cursory and short examination or mention.

note in brief

Emphasizes the succinctness and conciseness of the note.

cite succinctly

Highlights the compact and precise citation of information.

touch on superficially

Underlines the lack of depth and thoroughness in the coverage.

FAQs

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

You can use "briefly reference" to indicate a short mention of something. For example: "In the introduction, I will "briefly reference" the key theories that underpin my research."

What are some alternatives to "briefly reference"?

Alternatives include "mention in passing", "touch upon lightly", or "allude to briefly". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to "briefly reference" or "thoroughly discuss" a topic?

Whether to ""briefly reference"" or "thoroughly discuss" a topic depends on its relevance to your main argument. If it's peripheral, a brief reference suffices. If it's central, a thorough discussion is necessary.

What's the difference between "briefly reference" and "cite"?

"Briefly reference" means to mention something in passing, while "cite" implies giving credit to a specific source. You might "briefly reference" a general idea, but you "cite" a specific author or work.