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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
briefs
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "briefs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can either refer to a pair of men's underwear or a summary of a longer document. For example, you could say, "I read the executive briefs for the meeting before I arrived."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
A handy way to distinguish a government announcement inspired more by politics than its actual policy outcome is when the prime minister's office briefs (some) newspapers about it before it has been considered by the cabinet.
News & Media
The Guardian and other news organisations are filing supporting briefs, arguing that if the company loses, the US government could come after news organisations by targeting emails and other information stored overseas.
News & Media
Though he had always promised to commit suicide during a show, a defeated Allin finally walked off stage in Manhattan in June 1993, sporting just soiled briefs, his body smeared with blood and droppings, and into a fatal heroin overdose.
News & Media
She would use these briefs in the meetings, interlarding them with her own comments.
News & Media
The oral argument is the public face of the case, sure, but it's important to remember that it is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the material that will contribute to the court's decision – particularly in a case like this, with 136 amicus briefs.
News & Media
The other ministers, apart from speaking to their ministerial briefs, often reminisced from their own experience or that of their children, which was not particularly relevant to the development of a national curriculum for state-sector education.
News & Media
The "desire to forestall social change," the Kentucky brief says, is "not a legitimate state interest".The petitioners' briefs do a creditable job of exposing the apparent illogic behind the states' bans on same-sex marriage.
News & Media
Add in the dozens of amicus briefs from people and organisations who feel they have a stake in the outcome, and the justices (and journalists) have quite a lot of reading to do.
News & Media
A written decision could be handed down as early as this month, but the judges may take their time given the growing importance of the case.No less than four amicus briefs (filings by someone not party to the case) have been received and not just from the usual suspects.
News & Media
The distraught couple realized that unless they obtained a court order, John's death certificate, his final record as a person and as a citizen of Ohio, would not reflect and respect [their] 20-year relationship and legal marriage.It is impossible to read the briefs and come away with the impression that gay marriage bans are harmless.
News & Media
The briefs also point to Zablocki v Redhail, a 1978 case in which the justices struck down a law declaring that people who had fallen behind on their child support were ineligible to marry.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "briefs" in legal contexts, ensure clarity. If referring to undergarments, consider using "underpants" or "underclothing" to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "briefs" without context, especially when discussing sensitive topics. Readers might misinterpret the intended meaning. Specify "legal briefs" or "underpants" to avoid confusion.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "briefs" is as a plural noun. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it referring to both legal documents (legal briefs) and undergarments. The function varies based on context, and can also function as the third person singular present tense of the verb brief.
Frequent in
News & Media
36%
Formal & Business
32%
Science
32%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The term "briefs" is a versatile word with multiple meanings, primarily functioning as a plural noun. As Ludwig AI highlights, it commonly refers to legal documents or undergarments, its meaning heavily dependent on context. To ensure clarity, particularly in formal writing, specifying "legal briefs" or "underpants" can mitigate ambiguity. Given its frequent use in news and media, understanding the context is crucial to interpreting the intended meaning. While grammatically correct, mindful application ensures precise communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
summaries
Focuses on the concise overview aspect, omitting the legal or undergarment meanings.
summarized information
More explicitly indicates the information has been condensed.
reports
Implies a more detailed account than just a summary.
synopses
Refers to a very condensed version, often used for literary works or legal documents.
abridgments
Implies a shortened version, often of a written work.
outlines
Suggests a skeletal framework of the main points.
written arguments
Highlights the persuasive function of "briefs" in a legal setting.
legal documents
Emphasizes the formal, written nature of legal "briefs".
underpants
Specifically refers to the article of clothing, losing the other meanings.
underclothing
A broader term for "briefs" as undergarments.
FAQs
How can I use "briefs" in a sentence?
You can use "briefs" to refer to legal documents, as in, "The lawyers filed their briefs with the court." Or, you can use it to refer to underwear, as in, "He was wearing briefs under his trousers."
What can I say instead of "briefs" when referring to summaries?
What's the difference between legal "briefs" and other types of summaries?
Legal "briefs" are specific documents submitted to a court, outlining the legal arguments and facts of a case. Other summaries are more general overviews of information.
Which is correct, "briefs" or "legal briefs"?
"Briefs" is correct when the context makes it clear you're referring to legal documents. However, "legal briefs" provides more clarity and is preferable when there's a risk of ambiguity.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested