briefly spoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "briefly spoke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a short or concise conversation or speech that someone had. Example: "During the meeting, she briefly spoke about the project's progress and the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

I briefly spoke to him afterwards.

The Guardian

Writer briefly spoke with Keaton about her musical carrer.

The New Yorker

Rivera briefly spoke to reporters as he walked to his car shortly before noon.

The New York Times

Rocker and Braves Manager Bobby Cox briefly spoke to DiMuro as the umpires left the field.

The New York Times - Sports

In Miller Place, John White briefly spoke to the reporters who were waiting in front of his house.

The New Yorker

Ryan briefly spoke with his big brother after watching the final six minutes of the game on TV.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, will briefly speak.

The New York Times - Style

He would briefly speak to them and refer them to someone on his staff or one of his many volunteers.

The New York Times

Briefly speaking, when or increases, the attack happens more frequently.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Briefly speaking, the D2O adsorption isotherms are close to the H2O adsorption isotherms.

Carbon

Very briefly speaking, Euler equations connect the differentiations in time and space together [20].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "briefly spoke" when you want to emphasize the short duration of a conversation or speech. It's suitable for conveying that the interaction was not lengthy or detailed.

Common error

While "briefly spoke" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal documents can make the writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "commented briefly" or "mentioned in passing" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "briefly spoke" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of speaking for a short duration. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe interactions in news reports, personal accounts, and summaries of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "briefly spoke" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a short duration of speaking. As Ludwig confirms, it's commonly found in news and media contexts, serving the purpose of quickly conveying that a speaking engagement was concise. While generally acceptable, it's important to vary your phrasing in formal writing to avoid repetition. Alternatives like "commented briefly" or "mentioned in passing" can add nuance. Ludwig AI confirms it, making it a valuable tool for writers aiming for clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spoke concisely

Emphasizes the brevity and directness of the speech.

expressed briefly

Focuses on the conciseness of expressing an idea or opinion.

commented briefly

Implies a short remark or observation made.

remarked briefly

Similar to "commented briefly", but can suggest a slightly more formal setting.

chatted briefly

Suggests a more informal and casual conversation.

had a quick word

Implies a short and private conversation.

stated succinctly

Highlights the clarity and conciseness of the statement.

touched on briefly

Suggests a light exploration of a topic without going into detail.

mentioned in passing

Indicates a casual and brief reference to something.

gave a brief address

Refers to a short, formal speech.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "briefly spoke"?

You can use alternatives like "spoke concisely", "commented briefly", or "mentioned in passing depending on the context".

How to use "briefly spoke" in a sentence?

You can use "briefly spoke" to indicate a short conversation or speech. For example, "The president briefly spoke about the new policy at the conference".

Which is correct, "briefly spoke" or "spoke briefly"?

Both "briefly spoke" and "spoke briefly" are grammatically correct. The choice often depends on the desired emphasis or sentence structure. "Briefly spoke" emphasizes the brevity, while "spoke briefly" emphasizes the action of speaking.

What's the difference between "briefly spoke" and "simply spoke"?

"Briefly spoke" indicates a short duration of speaking, while "simply spoke" suggests that the speaking was done in a straightforward or uncomplicated manner. The focus is on the manner of speaking rather than the duration.