chatted briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chatted briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a short conversation or exchange of words between people. Example: "During the meeting, we chatted briefly about the upcoming project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two chatted briefly.

The Washington Post

The pair chatted briefly.

The Guardian - Business

They chatted briefly.

The New Yorker

The men met and chatted briefly before the event.

The New York Times

They chatted briefly, shook hands and went their separate ways.

The New York Times

They chatted briefly after their dance and exchanged phone numbers.

The New York Times

Torre and Valentine chatted briefly and amiably before yesterday's game...

The New York Times - Sports

She was busily working on her laptop but paused, smiled welcomingly, and we chatted briefly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Three police cars converged on the corner, and the cops chatted briefly with the man.

The New Yorker

They chatted briefly, promising to keep the lines of communication open, Mr. Nabors recalled.

The New York Times

McEwan chatted briefly with him about Argentina — in two days, Greg was beginning a semester abroad.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chatted briefly" to indicate a casual and short conversation, perfect for describing encounters where detailed discussions aren't necessary.

Common error

While "chatted briefly" is widely understood, avoid it in formal or academic writing where more precise language might be required. Instead, opt for alternatives like "conversed briefly" or "discussed concisely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chatted briefly" functions as a verb phrase indicating a short, informal conversation. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showing its use to describe casual exchanges between individuals in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chatted briefly" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a short, casual conversation. As indicated by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media contexts, with a more informal leaning. While versatile, it's important to consider the register of your writing; for more formal settings, alternatives like "conversed briefly" may be more appropriate. The phrase is widely understood and serves to quickly convey that a conversation took place without delving into specifics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a quick chat

Implies a more informal and shorter conversation than "chatted briefly".

had a brief conversation

A more formal alternative that emphasizes the conversation aspect.

spoke for a moment

Suggests a very short duration of speaking, possibly more formal.

exchanged a few words

Highlights the brevity and possibly the superficiality of the conversation.

talked for a short while

Emphasizes the limited time spent talking.

had a word

Suggests a private and quick exchange.

exchanged pleasantries

Highlights the polite and often superficial nature of the conversation.

touched base quickly

Business-oriented, implies a very brief check-in or update.

conversed fleetingly

A more formal and less common way to express a brief conversation.

passed a few remarks

Indicates a casual and possibly insignificant exchange.

FAQs

What does "chatted briefly" mean?

"Chatted briefly" means to have a short, casual conversation with someone. It implies the conversation was not long or in-depth.

What can I say instead of "chatted briefly"?

You can use alternatives like "had a quick chat", "spoke for a moment", or "exchanged a few words" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "chatted briefly" in formal writing?

While understandable, "chatted briefly" might be too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using phrases like "conversed briefly" or "discussed concisely" instead.

How does "chatted briefly" compare to "had a long discussion"?

"Chatted briefly" implies a short and casual conversation, while "had a long discussion" suggests an extensive and potentially more formal exchange of ideas.